A Friendly Hustle

by Blkdragon7

A few years after the Missing Mammal & Nighthowler cases, Nick and Judy are officially mates. They have managed to keep it a secret until they discover that their friends Lizz Fangmeyer and Mike Wolford are also in a mate level relationship. To help their friends, Nick and Judy draw Lizz and Mike to a restaurant to reveal their knowledge and their own relationship.

25. Chapter 25

Here is the 25th installment. Hope you enjoy.

Remember to share the love. Review and Fav. It is the life blood of every writer to know you are enjoying their work. I also want to thank everyone who has Fav'd, followed, and reviewed this little project. I know that isn't much, but to me, it's huge. Even as a writer of original fiction, that you enjoy this means a lot to me as an author. You can check out my original work and link to my Blog, Scribblings, where a lot of it lives by hopping over to

I do not own and claim no rights to Zootopia or its characters. They belong to Disney.

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Taxi and Zuber pickup, Zootopia Central Station, Savanna Central Late Noon-ish

A collection of 11 rabbits from late teens to one quite ancient rabbit, and one very nervous weasel, stood in a group at the Zuber pickup area. One of the older rabbits of the group, Stewart Hopps, looked at his phone and frowned. "Damn it. Judy said I just needed this app on my phone, but how do I use it?"

After watching the elder rabbit stare at the app for several minutes, one of his older kits, Jess, takes the phone from him. "Hang on Dad, let me help. Did Judy give you any account info?"

"She said she linked our accounts, whatever that means. Asked me for my username and some account link number that I had to get her in the settings. I don't even remember where that was, she talked me through it."

"No worries, dad. That's actually a good thing. It means that anything charged to your account is mirrored to her, and if she set it up right, which I am sure she did, anything we charge while we are here will be paid as if it were on her account." A few quick clicks confirms that the accounts are linked as suggested. "The nice thing is, the Zuber drivers here are looking for rides, so all we have to do is find a car big enough for all of us, scan the QR code on the side of the car, and it automatically becomes our ride." Looking up, she pointed a few meters down. "I'd say that wolf plus sized SUV over there should be more than enough for all of us."

"But, won't that cost more?"

"Nope! That's the thing with Zuber, and why it is so popular, it's a flat rate, no matter what, with a very few exceptions."

"Oh, well okay then. I guess."

"Don't worry dad. We aren't paying anyway, Judy is."

Waving the group to follow her, Jess lead them down the sidewalk a short ways and knocked on the passenger door of the car she had pointed out. The window rolled down in response. "Hello?" Came the confused voice of the driver.

Jess hopped up so her head appeared in the window a moment, waving with a smile as she did so. "HI! I've got 11 rabbits and a weasel. Think you can handle us?"

A chuckle came from the driver. "Sure can. Just scan the code on the back door and I'm all yours." A moment later Jess had scanned the code and an odd beep came from inside the car. "Stu Hopps?" Asked the driver.

Jess laughed. "My dad. He is here, I'm Jess. He's not so great with tech."

The grey wolf exited the vehicle and walked around the front of the car, where he smiled down at the group. "Well, no worries, Jess. It's nice to meet you all. I'm Frank. So, if you'll let me be frank, I'm happy to help you out today and get you where you are going. I want to assure you that like all Zuber drivers, I've been fully cleared, so you have nothing to worry about. The worst you'll get from me is too much chatter." Offering his paw with a bright smile as the group chuckled nervously. Jess and then Stu both give him a shake as Jess handed Stu back his phone.

A few minutes later they are all belted in, Frank glanced into the mirror then over to Jess and Alex sitting in the front seat. "So, what brings a bunch of farm rabbits all the way in to the big city, and where to?"

Jess smiled up at Frank. "We're here to meet up with my sister, her mate and husband, and an old family friend thought lost many decades ago. Trying to mend family bridges. That sort of thing. As for where... Dad. Where did Judy say to meet them? It was a restaurant of some kind. Said she knew the cook."

Stu spoke up from the back seat where he was double checking that some of the younger rabbits were behaving themselves. "She said the place was called Therus."

Frank looked over at Jess with a big question in his eyes. "You sure about the name? I know of only one place in Zootopia named that. Great food, but it's a pred restaurant. Not really much in the way of prey offerings."

"No worries there. My sister knows the cook. A fennec fox I think she said. Besides, we have a predator in our group, my mate Alex." Jess gave Alex a peck on the cheek causing him to blush. "And a few of those we're meeting us are predators as well."

Frank shrugged and got them underway. "If you say so." Once they were on the road for a few minutes and officially on the highway, he glanced a few times at Jess and Alex, as well as those in the backseat before speaking. "By the way Jess. I knew that about you and Alex." Pointing to his nose. "It's considered rude to comment. Just want to assure you that it doesn't bother me. There are some mammals that will make a stink about it, not me. I've a few cousins and one of my oldest brothers found love outside species lines. I gotta say, they seem happier than many I have seen who stick to species, and especially those that are loudly against it. Personally I wonder if those against aren't unhappy for a reason, if you get me."

Jess laughed, and nervous laughter came form Stu in the back seat. "I can't say one way or another Frank, but it is certainly possible to be a case of, thou doth protest too much. At least with some. Others I think may be learned prejudices. There's no way to tell until you can actually get to the mammal in question."

"Certainly at that. So, you are all Hopps, and you said Judy. You aren't meaning the cop, Judy Hopps? Hero of the city, or so the cities PR department would have you believe."

Jess grinned. "My sister. Same litter. She's about 5 minutes older than me."

Frank struggled to keep his grin from showing teeth. "Oh, that's awesome. Always wanted to meet her, and her fox." He saw the look Jess gave her. "Yeah, most people in Zootopia know, or at least suspect, and most don't care. It is just a very loud minority that makes all the stink about inter-species couples.

Though there is that huge bust that took down some kind of anit-inter-species cult in a secluded neighborhood of the city. Happened just yesterday, actually. Wouldn't surprise me none if your sister was involved. The scale of it, taking down a whole community and the reports just seem like the kind of thing she and her fox would be involved in.

That said, I really don't get why some mammals think it is any of their business. Anyway. It's a pleasure to meet all of you. Your sister." Glancing back at Stu and Bonnie and connecting the dots. "And your daughter, Mr and Mrs Hopps, is a real hero and inspiration to a lot of mammals here in the city and beyond. I had a fair a few months ago. A strange looking creature. Red Panda I think he called himself. She was all he would talk about. Total hero worship. Used his vacation to come to Zootopia just to see the city in which she works. Took up my whole day and tipped me double to just drive him around the city to see the locations of big busts she has been a part of, as well as other landmarks."

Stu hummed. "That's interesting Frank. Do you think they have an unreasonable view of Judy and Nick?"

Shaking his head, Frank chuckled. "I'm sure there are some, but Judy and Nick make it clear in the interviews I've seen that they are just mammals, like everyone else. That it is just their job, and that we shouldn't hold them up to such standards. Judy will even reference that old press conference from the NightHowler scare. The one that evil ewe, Bellweather, set her up in. All to point out that she makes mistakes, even big ones, just like the rest of us. Which if you ask me, is why people see her as such a role model."

Bonnie responded, clearly smiling. "That is really nice to hear, Frank. Being out in the country, what news we get is just the highlights. So we just see the big splashes when they solve a big case, or the reporting when some crazy mammal goes after them. It is nice to hear the perspective of someone like yourself. She has tried to assure us that what we see on the news is the exception of her work, but it can be hard to understand that when all you see are the headlines."

"Not a problem at all. Sorry if I'm being to talkative. I like to learn about my fairs, what they're in the city for, where they're from, etc..."

Bonnie chuckled. "Not at all Frank. It passes the time better than a silent ride."

Frank nodded with a smile as he guided the car off the freeway. "That it does. Well, we're almost there. I do hope you all have a nice meeting and things go well. Now, keep my ride and info in the app, and if you need another ride, or want a ride to someplace more prey friendly."

Jess looked up at Frank with a wicked grin. "Well, you see, Frank... Us Hopps are all a bit odd, as rabbits go. We tend to, as a general rule, enjoy the occasional bit of chicken. To spice things up. Makes winning bets real easy. I hear Judy just loves herself some spicy shrimp."

Looking over to Jess in concern and then surprise when he sees, and smells, that she is not lying. "Well... I'll just bet it does. We're here. Still, if you need another ride, I'm here for you. Just ping me on the app, and if I'm close and available, I'll come right over."

Bonnie responded from the back. "We will keep you in mind Frank, and thank you for the ride and the conversation."

"No worries at all. Hey, I know Judy works with my oldest brother, Mike. Tell her hi for me, from Frank Wolford and to ask Mike who that is, if she doesn't know."

Jess laughed as they hopped out. "We will do that. Thank you again Frank."

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Therus, early afternoon. Sunday, 1330-ish

Bonnie Hopps organized those that were with them while Stu double checked to make sure they had everyone, and all their bags, before letting the Zuber leave. "Thanks again Frank." Seeing the driver give a thumbs up as he worked the phone mounted on the dash. With a nod, Stu closed the door. "That's everyone, Bon." Giving a slap to the door to let the driver know they were clear.

"Great." Bonnie smiled, seeing Nick and Judy getting out of their car and how Nick fussed over Judy who swatted at him despite her smile. "I see Nick and Judy just got here as well. We have good timing. I gotta say, Stu, Frank was a very nice mammal."

Stu stiffened for a moment when Bonnie mentioned Nick, then shook himself. "Right." He silently chastised himself over the fact that he just had a long ride with a wolf, in the wolfs car, and didn't flinch, but the though of Nick, a fox, made him react. They walked up the path to the front door and Stu frowned upon seeing the predator only sign in the window. "Uhm... This really is a predator only place, Bon. I don't think we'll be welcomed here."

Judy and Nick walked up, Judy smiling wryly. "That depends dad. We know the cook personally and eat here all the time. His salads are to die for. Besides, this is Zootopia. Even in predator focused businesses like this, they always have some herbivore items on the menu. You'd be surprised how many tigers sometimes just want a salad."

Nick nodded, pulling the door open. "The shrimp and chicken burrito's are also to die for."

Erin looked up from her station and blinked several times, her smile faltering slightly. "Nick! Judy! And... Rabbits?"

Judy grinned up at the cougar. "Hey Erin. This is my mom, Bonnie, my dad, Stu. My Grandfather Harlan. Then my siblings Jill, Mike, Jesse, Ed, Eddy, Thad, Clair, and Jessica. As well as Jess's mate, Alex. We're expecting more to our party so a large area would be appreciated."

"Hmm..." Erin looked over the rabbits and one weasel. "Well, Fin did warn me that we'd be having a unique group today. So we have set aside the whole east section. I'm just going to start calling it the WildeHopps section. I might even have a plaque made for it." Smiling down at Judy and Nick with a wink. "I mean, we had the meeting of the head of the Wolford pack along with a rather prominent Tigress the other day for an impromptu intervention, overseen by you two, so what's a grip of rabbits in a predator restaurant? That seems almost, mundane." Shaking her head with a wry laugh and her bright smile returning.

Judy grinned. "Thanks Erin. I know we put a lot of stress on you."

"Yeah, but you also tip really well, and it is never not interesting. So, it balances. This way everyone."

Erin led the group to the collection of tables that had been pushed together in two rows. "I'll let you all get situated while I bring your waters. Menu's are on the table."

Bonnie and Stu, along with Judy's siblings except Jess fill up the set of tables farther from the windows, and started looking over their menus. Alex chuckled lightly as he took his seat next to Jess, across from Nick and Judy at the other table. "Well, Jess. Think we should try one of the burrito's Nick suggested?"

Jess laughed. "I don't know. I wouldn't want to freak out mom and dad more than needed."

Judy laughed in response. "Do what you want. I know what I'm having."

Bonnie put her menu down and looked towards Judy. "And what is that dear?"

Grinning, Judy chuckled again. "I'm having a shrimp and chicken burrito, spicy, with extra cheese, fresh pico, and seasoned rice. Along with my usual tea. Nick?"

"Oh yeah, I'm on board with that. Did you send the text?"

"Just."

"Good." Nick looked over to Harlan. "So, Harlan. How have you been?"

Looking up from his menu, Harlan smiled. "Please. Call me Pop-pop. You've earned it after all the grief I done gave ya. Anything other than da burrito you recommend?"

"Depends on your preference. If you like chicken, do the grilled chicken pasta, Fin's Alfredo is ambrosia. The turkey leg is good, but it's not small. I always have leftovers. The grilled salmon fillet is also excellent. You can have it three ways. Page three, I think. Page four has the salads, and the spicy sesame dressing is divine. If any of you want just the salad, just tell Erin which one you want and ask for it meat free."

Pop-pop smiled. "That salmon sounds good." Flipping through his menu. "Comes with seasoned rice I see. You said you know the cook?"

Nick nodded. "Yes, sir. He's an old friend. Former business partner, before I met Judy and joined the force."

"Ah. When you were a con-mammal."

Nick's ears folded to the side. "Yes, sir. That would be correct."

"Don't worry about it. You've clearly put those skills to better use in your new profession."

"They have come in useful. I'm on-call as a negotiator now."

Bonnie brightened up. "What's that, Nick? You're a negotiator?"

"Well, I've done the classes so I'm on the rotation. Though it's only been about two months, so I have only done it once. Just a simple robbery where the mammal was hold up in the store and armed. I managed to talk them down without any shots fired."

Judy beamed up at Nick. "It was really awesome mom. We were first on the scene. When they went to call for a negotiator, Nick volunteered that he'd passed the classes and was certified. The scene commander decided to give Nick a shot since the mammal on the rotation was on the other side of the city and would be hours to get there. It was great. Nick talked the mammal down, got him to come out and allowed Nick to cuff him, as long as they didn't taze or tranq him. It was awesome."

Nick's ears flicked back for a second in embarrassment. "It wasn't all that."

"Nick, love. It really was all that. Because you talked him down and he never fired a shot at us, he has a lot fewer charges to contend with. Plus he came willingly, so that is points for him as well."

Bonnie smiled at him warmly. "It sounds like you made a real difference, Nick. That's a great thing." Looking at Nick and Judy as they sat next to each other. "Well, you two really do seem to be in love."

Pop-pop chuckled. "In love? That doesn't even cover what is up with those two. Don't know how ya can't see it." Narrowing his eyes at Nick and Judy. "You two talk without talkin?"

Nick raised an eyebrow. "What's that now, Pop-pop?"

Judy and Nick glancing at each other then back over to Pop-pop. "Yeah, what do you mean by that?" Asked Judy.

Chuckling. "Oh, nothin. You two just confirmed it for me."

Vivian walked up a that moment, a chuckle in her voice as she gave Nick and Judy a hug from behind. "Nicholas, Judy. Nice to see you again."

Nick laughed. "Mom, it's been less than a week."

"And that is still too long. You could at least call. How else am I going to keep up with my favorite daughter, who saved my idiot son from himself." Turning her attention back to Harlan/Pop-pop. "I can assure you, they very much do. It's down right spooky. Whole conversations without a word spoken. I never realized how unnerving it must have been for those around John and I. My grandfather suggested it was a family trait."

Nick shook his head, and gave Judy a kiss on the side of her muzzle. "It's official, Fluff. She is your mother now."

Pop-pop nodded. "It's a Hopps family trait too. Doesn't happen often, but when we find that one perfect mammal."

Vivian nodded, pulling up a chair. "It just clicks. Like a key in a lock. I'm Vivian Wilde, Nick's mother. You must be Pop-pop, as Judy refers to you. Her Grandfather." Holding out a paw.

Pop-pop shakes it. "I am. Nice ta meet ya."

Judy smiled. "Vivian, thank you for coming. You've met Pop-pop. These are my parents, Bonnie and Stu, and some of my siblings."

Standing and holding out her paw again to Bonnie and Stu, Vivian smiled. "A pleasure to meet all of you. Especially you, Bonnie, Stu. Please call me Vivian. A really honor to meet the parents of the female that was able to bring my son back to me."

They shook while Nick whined slightly. "Mom! Are you ever going to give up on that?"

Sitting back down, Vivian laughed. "Never. Because it's true." Turning back to Bonnie and Stu. "I know you are probably disappointed that you weren't invited to the wedding. I'm not sure if Judy explained, but fox weddings have some rules, because of how mammals tend to look at and treat foxes."

Bonnie nodded with a sad smile. "She mentioned a few things. I am actually hoping to pick Nick's brain some more on fox culture, as well as yours. We're getting over ourselves and that means we need to learn about fox culture, as well as weasel," nodding towards Alex, "and a few other mammals. It seems that there are a number of our kits that have found love outside of the species. It's something we are just going to have to learn to deal with."

Stu nodded. "That's right." Standing on his chair. "Nicholas. I want to offer my apologies for how I have treated you. For the things I have said to you, and about you. I want to apologize for assaulting you without justification, allowing my own fear to color the clear truth of the love you two have for each other. You never once in all of the visits you had with us, ever gave us... me, a reason to react in that way towards you. I hope that you can find it in your heart to forgive an old rabbit. I am trying, and it's going to take me time, but I am working on it."

Nick smiled and gave Judy a kiss on the top of her head. "Thank you Stu. I accept your apology. I realize that cannot have been easy. I hope that we can get to know each other again, and I can prove to you that I truly do love Judy with my entire heart and soul."

"You've done that already, Nick. You supported her when we failed to. You were there for her when we weren't. You didn't walk away from her after what I did, and didn't press charges."

Nick smiled warmly at Stu with a nod. "All is forgiven, Stu. Let us try and move forward. Leave the past where it is, and let us work on building a new foundation. Starting now."

Stu smiled and nodded. "I'd like that." Nick stood and shook paws with Stu, both with smiles as Nick returned to his seat.

Erin walked up with her pad out. "Hey everyone, ready to order?"

Judy smiled. "Nick and I are." Seeing affirmative nods from around the table other table as well. "We'll both have the usual burrito, spicy, with extra cheese, and you know our drinks."

Erin smiled. "Sure."

Pop-pop smiled. "I'll have the salmon fillet, Cajun crusted, and the tea Judy seem so fond of."

Orders went around and Erin just wrote them down with a shake of her head. She'd given up on trying to understand it. If anything, rabbits related to Judy, ordering meat? Par for the course. She did the obligatory advisement that it had meat in the dishes. That the oldest rabbit happily ordered the salmon and just shrugged when she advised it was actually fish. Erin decided that she would just not question it anymore. It was better for her sanity.

As Erin walked into the kitchen, the bell for the door rang and everyone turned. Vivian lit up with a grin. Jumping up and running over to the newcomers. "Sasha‽ Betty‽ Is that really you? Oh my gods! It's been so long. You must be the surprise Nick was talking about!"

Sasha hugged Vivian. "Oh my gods, Viv! It has been too long. It was such a shock when Nick and his mate showed up at our place."

Vivian held Sasha away from herself by the shoulders. "They did what‽"

Betty laughed with a nod. "Yeah, I guess they were apartment hunting since their family is about to get larger."

With a grin wide enough to seem like it touched her ears, Vivian nodded. "Oh, that is the truth. I'm gonna be a grandmother soon!" Hugging Betty and Sasha again in her excitement.

With a deeper laugh, Betty shook her head and sighed. "Oh, gods. I pity the parents. But you sure you are okay raising rabbits?"

Vivian frowned. "Betty! Hold your tongue. I have seen the reports from their specialist, and the scans. They are very much half fox, half rabbit."

"How is that possible?" The disbelief clear in Betty's voice.

"I don't know, but it is."

Harlan had gotten up without anyone noticing and stepped up, his voice small and hesitant, as if not believing what he was seeing. "Sasha?"

Sasha spun around at the calling of her name from a voice she could never un-know, and looked down at the elder rabbit as he pulled a pendant out of his shirt. She hesitantly pulled it's mate out of hers. "Harlan? Is that you?" Tears welling in her shocked eyes.

Tears flowing from his yes, Harlan managed to just barely speak around a sob. "It is my kitten." Dropping his cane and grabbing her into a hug. "Oh my gods, Kitten." Anything else he could say was lost in his sobs.

Sasha had tears spilling from her eyes as well. "Harlan." Dropping into the hug and burying her nose in his neck and taking in his scent. "Oh gods. It really is you. My sly bunny."

They cried into each other's fur for several minutes before they could separate, everyone else looking on. Sharing a chaste kiss as they did so, Harlan held her cheeks and looked deep into her eyes.. "Oh my Sasha. What happened? I lost contact with you."

"We had a fire. Everything was lost. The secret compartment that I kept everything in was gutted. Nothing left but ash."

"Oh no. But you got out safely?"

"We did. It turned out it was my ex. He did it for insurance money. If they hadn't been there to arrest him for the fraud, I'd have ripped his throat out. I'm glad I never had cubs with him."

Nick stepped up handing Harlan his cane, having picked it up as he approached. "Why don't we retire to the table. Aunties, I ordered for both of you so the food will get here with the rest of ours. Pop-pop, why don't you sit with Sasha. Aunt Betty, you can sit with mom and Judy's parents."

A few moments later, everyone was seated and positions adjusted. Judy's siblings, expect Jess, staring in shock and awe as their grandfather and a snow leopard leaned against each other and made loving eyes at each other. The snow leopard wearing a Hopps sapphire pendant, its brilliant deep blue shining in the bright sunlight from the windows, unmistakable. Nearly as shocking was their parents sitting next to an older vixen and chatting happily. They knew about Judy and her fox, but the clear revelation that the kits were in fact his, just floored them.

Jill was the first to recover. "Hold up! Judy! You're telling me that your kits are half fox?"

Judy grinned across to her sister. "Not telling you that Jill. It's a fact. We will also be adopting a few kits, or cubs, whoever we connect with as well. It's why we were out shopping for apartments yesterday and ran into Nick's aunts."

"The snow leopards."

Nick smiled. "Yes. They are very close family friends and kit sat me many many times. I never knew them as anything other than my aunties. We lost contact with them after the fire and my fathers death. They had to move to another city to get support from family. Uncle Delvin was one of the few con's I ever ran that I didn't feel bad about him getting hurt. Still don't."

Sasha looked over at Nick with a glare. "Nicky! What did you do?"

With a wicked grin, Nick laughed. "Well... After he got out of jail for the insurance fraud on your house, I conned him into a few purchases. All legal. Questionable, sure, but legal I assure you. Then I talked him into a few other things. He wasn't happy with what I was doing and how I was handling things. He wasn't making enough money. Then again, I was shorting him on purpose just to get under his skin. So, I got with Mr. Big and organized the purchase of a rug. It was going to be a really good score. However, Delvin didn't think it was good enough money."

Judy groaned and dropped her face in her paws. "You did tell me that you didn't know it was that kind of run until after."

Nick nodded. "Yep. He got a hold of a black market rug, which I then passed on to Mr. Big. Devlin waited until the last second to give me the rug he procured, so I didn't get a chance to verify it. Only to find out later what it was, and almost get iced over it. Only because Big believed me that I didn't know what it was. If I had known, I would have told him, and offered to replace it from a different supplier. As I told Big. I was crazy, not stupid. I'd rather not make any money on a deal than get iced. He believed me. I'm crazy, but passing off such a thing, not cool. He knew I wasn't that stupid. Don't get me wrong, there are legit rugs of that nature that would have been acceptable, and they're expensive as hell. A black market rug is either stolen, or worse, from a rug-mill."

Judy cringed. "I read about the bust of one of the big ones. That mammals can be so horrible to each other."

Nick nodded. "Yeah. After dipping me in the water. He had to make the point after all, and my agreement to stay out of his territory. Yes, I know from personal experience just how cold that water is. We made a plan. Mr. Big understood that, since Devlin was family, I couldn't allow him to be iced. We instead came up with a plan. Mr. Big may be a crime boss, but there are a lot of things he doesn't tolerate. Mammal trafficking and drugs are his big no no's. Putting him in the position of almost icing someone who didn't knowingly wrong him. He tends not to take kindly to that either."

"Yes. Fru has told me as much."

"I'm sure she told you that to help assuage some of your concerns."

"Exactly that."

"Well, we arranged another purchase, only this time I expressed how much Mr. Big and Grandmama loved the first one, so they wanted to by a bunch more. Therefore I needed Devlin to connect me to his supplier. I wore a wire, and Mr. Big had a sting set up with a few calls. ZBI and ZPD came in so hard... I walked away. Uncle Devlin, not so much. I was listed as confidential informant three in the reports. They had more than enough evidence, and the prosecutor wouldn't have put a fox on the stand for anything. So. Uncle Devlin will be getting out on good behavior in..." Checking his phone. "Ten more years. Having a previous charge of insurance fraud where he burned down his families home, forcing them to leave the city. Well, that didn't play well with the jury at sentencing. I may have mentioned those details to the prosecutor when I was giving my statement."

Sasha laughed. "Oh, Nicky! I'm so glad you didn't take a long dip in that pool. Sounds like that worthless excuse for a cat got what he had coming to him."

Judy started to giggle, then broke into a laugh. "Oh my gods. He must be the leopard that they can't let any skunks get anywhere near. They keep managing to spray him."

"That's him."

Sasha and Betty laughed, Betty recovering first. "Oh that's perfect. I'm glad I never got to him either. I'd have filleted his tail and removed his ears."

Harlan laughed as well. "Well done Nick. Though I am a bit concerned that you had dealings with such a person as Mr. Big."

"In truth sir, I worked for him for several years. Never hurt anyone, and as I said, he doesn't deal in things like Drugs and mammal trafficking. In the world I was living in, as a con-mammal, and a fox... Dealing with a mob-boss or three is just something you cannot avoid. Sometimes you need money, and doing a job for said mob boss is better than owing them money. I tried to never owe them anything but money, and as little of that as I could. Favors owed to the mob are not something you want unless you are going to live that life, and I had no interest in doing that.

In fact, the job to take care of Devlin cleared the last of my debt with him, though he still had to take a stand about the rug, which is why I got dipped and couldn't work in his territory. Pass through, have dinner in a restaurant, sure, but couldn't do any work there. As for when I worked for him, it was mostly what I would call courier work."

Judy nodded, then frowned. "Which is why you had to avoid his territory. But... Why then were you able to do your pawpcicle hustle using Tundra Town?"

Nick gave her a kiss on the cheek. "A secondary arrangement. You'll remember it was during the day, and we were right near the border."

"Ah. You were no where near his businesses, and being daytime, no chance of interfering."

"That, and Fin was still on good terms."

"Well, at least those bridges have been mended."

Jill blinked. "I'm sorry. Say what? You're saying Nick is on good terms with a mob-boss, again?"

Harlan spoke up. "That is again, concerning, son."

Nick laughed. "It's not as bad as all that. Mr. Big would never put us in a bad position. Our boss knows, and I wouldn't say that I'm on good terms. He tolerates me, since I am the, as he puts it, the godmothers consort."

Judy smiled up at Nick and gave him a kiss. "He loves you Nick. He just can't show it because of your history."

Vivian laughed. "Antonio always did have a unique way of describing things."

Bonnie looked over at Vivian in surprise. "You know him as well?"

"Bonnie. There isn't a mammal in Happy Town, or anywhere else in the city that doesn't know who Mr. Big is. I know him from his charity work, and I work with his daughter, Fruticia. She's a fashion designer. It's your daughter that has the real connection."

Bonnie turned slowly to look at a blushing Judy, her voice rising in pitch. "What!"

Jill stared at her sister in shock. "JUDY‽"

Nick put up his hands. "Hold up, everyone. Just calm down a second. It is not like that. Judy is just as clean as she could be. We both are. Like I said a moment ago. The chief is well aware of the relationship we have with the Big Family." Looking to Judy. "Love."

"Thank you. I saved Fru Fru's life on my first day on the job. She named me as godmother to her pups. That makes Nick, by extension of being married to me, as their godfather. This doesn't protect us completely, but it does give us some insulation. Though again, Antonio is very courteous. He doesn't hold business when we visit, and if there is a case we are working that trips over him, he lets us know through channels and we hand it off. He understands that he cannot ask us to bury things, as that would place me, as the godmother and nick as the godfather of his grand-pups, in legal jeopardy.

The Chief understand why we might have to step away from a case every so often. It's for our safety, being as we are considered family. Chief Bogo would rather keep us from running a fowl of a mob boss as well. Plus, handing off any cases is the only way we can ensure that any convictions are unassailable, should our relationship as family be brought up in court. The biggest head-ache about it is having to do monthly interviews with IA, the DA, reviews of our cases, and other such things. We're under a microscope."

Nick nodded. "Those are a pain, but after that one goat got himself up on charges, so long as we actually stay clean, our work is all but unassailable."

"That is true. That goat had it coming though. Did you see the report on how many cops got offers of reinstatement with a clean jacket, or at least compensation once he went down?"

"No, but given the way he behaved, I'd bet it was a lot."

"It wasn't a small number. He'd been dirty his entire career. There were quite a few cops who lost out on promotions because of him, as well as those that lost there jobs. Even a few that did time they shouldn't have. He turned states evidence and into witness protection. Sold out the boss in the Rain Forest."

Nick slapped the table with a laugh. "Ha! That wasn't smart. He'd have been better off taking the time."

"I rather agree. Last I checked, the bounty on his head is up to twenty now."

Nick shook his head and whistled as the rest looked on at the conversation in shock. "Ouch. It was only ten the last time I checked. He must have had a lot of dirt to warrant that."

"Jack suggested that he had enough to really make a dent."

"Oh, yeah. If Jack is willing to admit that, he had a lot of dirt to dish."

Judy turned back to her mom. "Sorry, got side-tracked. The point is. I'm not dirty or in any danger of being dirty. If anything, Nick and I are assured of being the cleanest cops, due to IA not willing to leave us alone."

Bonnie relaxed slightly. "I see. So you are in a spot where your bosses won't let you work cases that touch Mr. Big, and since you're cops and you're up front with him, he doesn't put you in a bad position."

Judy nodded. "That's right mom. I'm not going to say I'm comfortable with what I know Mr. Big does. Yet, it's kinda out of sight, out of mind. It has to be that way." Judy turned to her siblings. "I need you all to understand something right now. You need to keep everything you just heard to yourself. Spreading it on social media, or anywhere else could place Nick and I, and our kits, in jeopardy."

They all nod, Jill speaking up again. "Okay Jude. Okay. We won't say anything. I guess you are telling us this just to let us know that you are safe."

"As long as you keep your mouths shut."

Stu nodded. "I think we can consider that particular subject as under a Black carrot. Judy?"

Judy nodded. "I don't think it is quite that strong dad, but if you feel so, then I can accept that."

"Okay, perhaps not a Black Carrot, what about a Blue one?"

Judy paused a moment then nodded again. "Yes. That's reasonable. It isn't exactly a secret. I'm seen out with Fru Fru all the time, Nick hangs out with Kevin for poker nights. That's why we have to be open with our boss in the ZPD."

Nick brightened up with a grin. "Which is tonight by the way. Stu, you up for it?"

Stu cocked his head. "Poker night?"

Nick nodded. "Yes. Me and a bunch of the guys get together, drink, play poker, and just generally have a guys night. Action movies, and since it's at Erik's this time, there will also be pool."

Stu nodded. "Uhm... Is it going to be all predators?"

"Lets see. Tonight there will probably be a coyote, polar bear, lion, two wolves, a tiger, and a leopard. Alex, you should come for sure. Get to know the guys."

Alex grinned and nodded. "Sounds like a blast."

Stu took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I can leave any time I want?"

"Without question, Stu. We have a white tailed buck and a jack rabbit, when they're in town. Both are ZBI. Speaking of which." Nick pulled out his phone and sent a text, getting an immediate response. "Oh, good. Jack and Skye are in town and off tonight. Judy, you should invite Skye to the girls night you're planning with Lizz. Have your mom go too. It would be good to get to know the people you have as friends."

Jill huffed. "Only if I go as well."

Judy smiled. "That sounds like a plan." Pulling out her phone. "These are all people in inter-species relationships. So Jess, you definitely need to come."

Sasha giggled as Harlan whispered in her ear. "I think Harlan and I are going to go for a walk after lunch. Where is that food, by the way."

Nick frowned, turning to face the kitchen. "That's a good question." Raising his voice. "Hey, Fin. You nappin back there? Need daddy to come help you reach the counter?"

Fin's deep voice roared from the kitchen. "Stuff it Nick! Things are almost done. So don't go getting your knickers in a twist. And what's with all the damn meat eating rabbits!"

Nick laughed. "I don't know buddy. It seems to be a family trait." Turning to the rest of the family. "Though, after that rabbit gang we took down just before Judy went on maternity leave, I'm convinced it is why she can hit so damn hard. Those rabbits were work out freaks and in top shape, as well as trained fighters. I took a flying drop kick from one of them, along with a bunch of punches. I barely felt the punches, and the kick, well, it barely knocked me back. I'm trained and spar with Judy all the time, but it was like a kit punching me. That same kick from Judy can take down a rhino. I know, because I've watched her do it."

Harlan laughed. "Hopps rabbits are just generally stronger by default, and with the way Judy started eating after the doc told her to add more protein to her diet to get through the strength plateau she hit, I don't doubt she's probably the strongest rabbit around. Though there is a reason for all that."

Bonnie nodded. "You mentioned that at the dinner, dad. What is that reason?"

"Simple. There are several predators back in the history of the Hopps clan. At last three foxes and a forest cat. Judy shows a lot of those traits. The purple eyes are the give away. Judy, you know claws like yours are not like a typical rabbits. Your strength, speed, and I know your sense of smell is better than most rabbits."

Judy nodded. "It is. It' isn't as good as Nick's, but it is really good. So you're saying that I already had fox in me?" Turning to Nick. "We should have Angela check that. If so, it could help explain why I was able to get pregnant."

Nick managed, just barely, to keep his snicker at Judy's double entendre in check, several of her siblings failing. "It certainly would." snicker "Even very distantly, I'm sure it would have helped increase our chances."

"Not by a lot though, given how much we tried."

Chuckling, Nick kissed Judy. Their kiss lasting several very long seconds as they lost themselves to it for a moment. "Yes. Not for a lack a trying."

Stu folded his ears over his face. "Oh gods. I did not need to hear that, or see a passionate kiss like that."

Bonnie laughed. "Oh Stu. I know you want to pretend that our kits are all perfect innocents, but they just are not. If anything, I'm happy to hear that they have a healthy sex life."

Nick chuckled. "Yeah, and we even manage to keep it out of the stock rooms at the precinct."

Blushing, Judy pulled her own ears over her face. "Oh gods. I do not ever want to have that conversation with Bogo again. Once was too many times, and with Mammal Resources there too."

"Hey we just got a minor write up and promised to not do it again. It's actually out of our jackets by this point. Though the fact that we were otherwise completely professional, and the only mammals that saw that video were Bogo and Mammal Resources, helped I'm sure."

"Yeah, we got lucky there. I think Bogo was just mad that he had to withdraw from the pool." Judy frowned and crossed her arms. "Served him right!"

Erin came out with a large tray, followed by Fin with a smaller tray. "Hi guys. Hate to interrupt, but food is ready."

The collection of salads and other options were quickly distributed, drinks refreshed, and the collected mammals dug in. Conversation for a few minutes died out as they ate, mostly murmurs of appreciation and comments on how good the food was.

Some time later the meal had been eaten and everyone seemed satisfied. Nick smiled over the assembled mammals. "Okay. I have to say, this has been a much better meeting then the last time I was around more then my honey bunny." Giving Judy another kiss.

Stu nodded. "I understand that Nick, and as I am the primary cause of that, I apologize again. It was uncalled for, and I am thankful for you not pressing charges. You proved over and over again that you were a good mammal with the way you interacted with the fluffle. I reacted so badly and I am embarrassed by my actions once you and Judy started dating."

Judy glared at her father, Stu's ears falling as she spoke. "He didn't press charges, against my wishes. You need to understand that, dad. Nick is a forgiving mammal and willing to give you the benefit of the doubt for my sake. I'm not so ready to do that just yet. You are going to need to earn my trust again."

Nick signed and pulled Judy to his side. "Love. I can see he wants to do better and be better. We have to give him the chance to do so, and some understanding that he has a lifetime of prejudice to overcome. From what we read in the chat, he's making real efforts."

Crossing her arms, Judy huffed. "We shall see. Maybe it is just me being pregnant and protective of you and the kits." Softening her gaze. "I'm willing to give you a chance, dad. Even let you screw up a bit as you work through it. But..." Her stare going as icy as 's special swimming pool. "If you ever attack my husband again. So help me."

Putting up his paws in surrender. "I get that, and I would deserve it. I don't know how I can express to you how sorry and ashamed of myself I am. I just hope that you can forgive me in time."

"Dad... It isn't about forgiveness. Nick forgives you, so too then do I. No, it's the fact that you hurt him, the mammal I love beyond anything else. Do you know the vows that we took at our wedding? I know Jess and a few others got a copy of the ceremony."

Stu shook his head. "I do not."

Judy pulled up her phone, pulled up a video and handed the phone across the table after turning the sound all the way up. Stu pressed play on the video and Nick's voice came from the speakers as Bonnie leaned over to see.

Judith Laverne Hopps. I pledge myself to you. I am yours in this life and the next, and for all the lives beyond that we may live. Until the stars themselves all burn out and the universe goes dark. Even then, I will be yours, and will keep you warm in the darkness. You are my strength. I will be your shield and sword to defend you against the harshness of the world.

Judy's voice then speaking, strongly, though it was clear that she was also crying with the slight waver to it.

Nicolas Piberious Wilde. I pledge myself to you. I am yours in this life and the next, and for all the lives beyond that we may live. Until the stars themselves all burn out and the universe goes dark. Even then, I will be yours and will keep you warm in the darkness. You are my strength. I will be your shield and sword to defend you against the harshness of the world.

They then spoke in unison.

I am yours, and you are mine. To you I pledge myself and no other. I will shelter you when life is harsh and unforgiving. I will keep you warm when it is cold. All I have. All I am. All I ever will be. Is yours.

Stu stopped the video, wiping tears from his eyes and handing the phone back. "Jude... Is there a copy of the entire video we can see?"

Bonnie wipes tears of her own. "Judy. That was beautiful. That was a very old oath."

Vivian smiled brightly, while also wiping a tear. "It is. It is a combination of the oldest oath that the Wilde's have, along with one that, from what Judy said, was the oldest from the Hopps line. I was rather surprised by just how similar they are. All they really did was modernize it. Stars burning out instead of falling from the sky. The Hopps wording was slight different from the Wilde one, but it was otherwise the same oath."

Bonnie nodded. "It is. The whole thing is similar to one of the oldest and rarely used, because of the implications. It is said that those who use the oath are in fact pledging exactly what they claim. It is not something taken lightly."

Vivian nodded again. "The same with us. They did not tell me what their vows were, only that they were combining somethings from both sides. When I heard them, I was in shock. You can't really feel it in the video, but there was just... something. Like the divine looked down on us for a moment and smiled. It was a cloudless blue sky, and yet it rained on us. It was a good, hard rain, out of a cloudless sky. For foxes, that is a true omen for the couple. It, to us, says that the couples union is blessed and none should ever question it. To me, it is that blessing that brought about our soon to be born grandkits."

Bonnie nodded. "It represents the same for us. Is that on the full video?"

"It is. You can see it start as they start their oath to each other, and by the time the entire ceremony was done, it was a complete downpour. Yet there was no clouds, no broken sprinkler or hydrant that we could find."

"For us. The stronger the rain, the longer it lasts..."

"The greater the blessing. Watch the video when you can, and you will understand why I just know how blessed these two truly are."

"We will."

Harlan looked over from where he and Sasha were snuggled. "So, what now?"

Sahsa sighed. "Now, I think I need to give back your pendant, Harlan."

Harlan frowned almost to the point of scowling. "You will do no such thing. It is yours, and you are to be buried with it!"

"But we do cremation."

"Then it should be placed in with your ashes and rest inside with them for the rest of time. We do both, and so you will be given a Hopps urn to rest within. You will also be granted the use of our crematoria to ensure it is done correctly."

Betty coughed. "Excuse me, but who are you to be making such pronouncements?"

Harlan looked over at Betty. "I'm the one that gave her that pendant. It is a Hopps sapphire. It cannot be returned, nor can I ask for it back, unless the owner has committed a great sin, such as trying to sell it."

"Delvin tried to do that. Nicky, when he was younger, scammed him with a piece of plastic and hid it until Delvin was arrested. I though it had been lost in the fire."

Nick chuckled. "I never saw you without it. Even when things were hard, you'd hold it, but it was clearly for strength. Never with a thought to sell it. When he asked me to help him find a buyer, I knew then he was no good. He was convinced that it was in fact the piece of plastic and glass I gave him to sell. I saw him off to his prison term after the rug sting. I let him know the truth and that you still had it. I wish I could show you a picture of his face."

Sasha grinned. "Oh, that must have been priceless."

Harlan nodded. "You did good, boy. You did real good." Turning back to Betty. "Once the ashes are in the urn, the pendant sitting with them, and it is sealed. You can take it and place it in your family crypt, on your mantel, or allow it to be placed in it's reserved place in the Hopps family crypt where it will rest next to mine."

Stu shook his head. "So that's why you had a shelf large enough for three carved for yourself."

"That's right. I always hoped that one day I would get my Sasha back."

Bonnie frowned, a worried look on her muzzle. "What about mom?"

Harlan smiled. "She knew all of it and never held it against me. I told her before I asked her to marry me, and she accepted me and that hidden past. I loved her with my whole heart, just as I did Sasha. They even corresponded themselves a few times. I do not regret the life I lived, only the specisism I had to foster in order to protect the clan. Something that is no longer needed and I hope to undo."

Sasha nodded. "Agreed. I do not regret four of my five husbands. Delvin. Well. He'd better hope he dies in prison, or that I have passed on first. I love all my kits and the family I had, I would not trade for what might have been. That said. Harlan was my first love, and we did not separate because we wanted to, but because we had to. We had to live our lives, for each other and the families we had to support. That was our agreement when he gave me the pendant and the promise he said it held. That no matter where we went in out lives, what families we may raise. The pendants bound us together, that we might take strength from each other when we needed though them. I did not love my husbands any less, even if they didn't live long. I was never good at picking mates. After Lawrence, I couldn't do it any more."

Betty shook her head. "Okay Sasha. What do you want then?"

"I don't know yet. I want to be with my husbands, but I also want to be with Harlan."

Bonnie smiled. "Sahsa. Are you okay with having your ashes split?"

Sasha took a moment to think. "I am. Why?"

Stu nodded with a widening smile as he recognized what Bonnie was suggesting. "The stone can be split. Once. Then re-set. But only under special circumstances, which your situation meets. When the time comes, the two halves can be placed with both halves of your ashes. It is our belief that the stone binds to its mate and therefore binds you to both locations. Just as the matching stone in Pop-pop's binds your stone to it as it was split to make the set."

Sasha smiled. "That would work. Would that be acceptable, sis?"

Smiling. "It would be. If it is what would ensure your spirit was able to rest."

Nick nodded. "Well, on that slightly morbid, but understandable note. I think we should get you over to the hotel and checked in. By the time we get that done, those of us heading to poker can do that, and Lizz can pick up Judy and whomever is heading for the girls night."

Judy nodded as well. "That sounds like a plan. Any objections?"

Sasha raised her paw. "Not an objection, but a question. Can I go with Harlan, or him with us? To be honest, I don't want to let go of him again."

Ed raised his paw. "If you are willing to put up with me, I will go along. Pop-pop, you are as onry as Judy, and just as thick headed. At least one of us needs to stick by you."

Grumbling. "Fine. Just don't make a nuisance of yurself."

Ed grinned. "Never Pop-pop. So long as you behave."

Sasha laughed. "That's exactly why we are moving. No more stairs for this old leopard. We're still gonna be in the same complex, just a small two bedroom for Me and Betty, close to the entrance. Right next to where some of our grand-cubs live. At their insistence. So I'm happy to have you along. What's your name?"

"Edward, ma'am. I go by Ed."

"Well Ed. I look forward to getting to know you, and all your siblings and the rest of the Hopps clan."

Stu took a deep breath. "Perhaps I can propose something." All eyes turned to him and he coughed into his paw. "Sasha. Perhaps we should arrange a... Arrange a get together. You, your cubs, and grand-cubs could come out to the farm. I'm still working on my comfort with having predators around, but... With you having a Hopps sapphire, you are as much family as if you had married Pop-pop. He's also right. You have the right to the Hopps facilities and to be interned in the crypt. Since you are family, then by extension, your family is too."

Harlan brightened up. "That is a fantastic idea. Nick, you and your family should come too."

Nick smiled. "There isn't much to my family, but I am sure mom would be willing."

Vivian grinned. "Absolutely! I would love to see where Judy grew up. To see what shaped her into the amazing mammal that she is."

Judy blushed and pulled her ears over her face again. "Viv, stop!"

Leaning over and ruffling the fur between Judy's ears, Vivian laughed. "I refuse. You are so much more than you give yourself credit for." Turning to Stu and Bonnie. "Ought to invite Judy's college roommate and her mate as well. Make a big thing out of it."

Bonnie was grinning and laughed herself. "I am loving this idea. Our other kits with inters-species mates should invite their families as well. It will also be nice to see Maria again, she's always so busy, she rarely stops by the warren anymore."

Judy chuckled darkly. "Mom. Viv. You do realize what you are proposing, right?" Getting confused looks. "There will be enough different mammal species present to establish a great pact."

Nick sucked air through his teeth, hissing. After a moments pause, he laughed. "Yes. There is. If we bring Eric, Jeff, Carry, Bill, Lizz and Mike we guarantee it."

Judy grinned. "Yes! Bring Ellie, Ed, Mikel, Joan. I mean, Joan is your cousin so she counts as your family Nick. That will bring the Wolford pack and maybe the Alpha's as well as Lizz's family."

Bonnie frowned. "Judy. What are you talking about?"

Judy blushed and Nick spoke. "Judy discovered a few things while researching fox and rabbit customs for our wedding, as well as some history work. She dragged me into it. Had more than a few conversations with a Cliff." Looking up at his mother. "That's why I borrowed all the family documents."

"Borrowed you say?"

"Well... That is tradition, isn't it?"

Shaking her head. "Yes, and I would have been disappointed in you if you hadn't just taken them like that. Even if you over did the traditional payment."

"Whatever." Waving a paw in the air. "I swear, leaving cash behind is the only way I can get you to take any money from me." Shaking his head. "Anyway. What Judy discovered is that in the ancient past, reflected in the absolutely oldest records we could find, there was an alliance between rabbits and foxes. Specifically one line of foxes and rabbits. They shared burrows/dens. Fought for each other. The records we were able to find, the oldest ones, even suggested that there were instances of marriage between them. Though at the time it wasn't quite so formal, just a mating ceremony, which a fox wedding actually is very similar to. That's why we had those changes made to it you found so odd mom. It was to reflect what we found. The records are hard to trace from that far back, but we know which two lines of animals it was that had the alliance. What we cannot be sure of is what caused the rift between them."

Harlan spoke up. "It was a rabbit."

Bonnie turned to face Pop-pop. "What?"

Harlan nodded sadly. "I have the rest of those records you need to complete the story. After I had to send Sasha away, I went into the archives and removed those oldest records that showed the alliance along with other things. Such as the fact that we have predator blood in our past. I can tell you that the betrayal wasn't discovered until far too long after the foxes were driven from their dens. By the time the truth was discovered, the rift was too deep and the foxes were rightly distrustful of us. Only, the betrayal was worse. It was the reason foxes to this day have the unfair reputation that they have. Until the betrayal was discovered, we spread the lies and rumors about foxes wherever we went. The distrust foxes have for rabbits is well founded. We are why they have the reputation, to this day, that they have."

Nick sighed. "That matches some of what we found. The records of the Wilde's only say that they did not understand why their allies, their friends, the mammals they thought of as family, turned on them. They were broken hearted, which turned to anger. They taught from that point not to trust other mammals save foxes, especially not rabbits, and then hold them at arms length until they truly proved themselves."

Jill picked up on what was being implied. "Hold on a second. Nick, you're saying that the line of foxes that were aligned with the rabbits was your family?"

Nick nodded. "It was, and the other side of that equation."

Harlan sighed. "Was the Hopps. Our most distant ancestors, before the written word was common. A Wilde saved the Hopps from being completely killed off. Much of that time is oral histories and stories written down later."

Nick nodded. "Ours shows that the Wilde in question had a writing system that he created and taught it to the Hopps he saved. It was really not much, a collection of symbols that we still use to this day. It was the Hopps he taught it to, that turned it into something closer to an actual written language. One all Wilde's are taught to read."

Harlan nodded, and Stu spoke up. "That sounds like the old notation system that we all learn as kits."

With a wider smile, Nick nodded. "That's why I could so easily find my way around the burrow. Every intersection has those symbols. I didn't make the connection until Judy and I were doing this research, just noted it as weird but didn't think on it. I think at the time I just thought it was a common symbol system. There are also paw signs." Doing a few simple ones, to which Stu responded, a surprised look on his muzzle. "That came as a great surprise to Judy. Some of the more complex things are different, but the most basic ones are the same. Same with the written language. Judy and I concluded that it was the very same language of symbols and signs, prior to the rift."

Harlan nodded. "That is because it was."

Bonnie shook her head. "Okay, we need to bring Liza and Cliff into this. They're the family historians." Pulling out her phone she dialed and put it on speaker.

From the phone after two rings. "Hey mom, what's up?"

"Hi Liza, is Cliff there?"

"He's in the stacks, should I get him?"

"Yes, it is very important."

"Okay, hang on."

Bonnie looks up. "We maintain as much of the history of the Hopps clan as we can. Births, deaths, marriages, things like the earlier Blue Carrot information, which I think this entire meal is goig to fall under. We track rifts in the family, and when they heal. Everything. It is all also digitized now." Giving Judy a look. "Entirely your fault by the way. You got your brother started with that damn program, and he just couldn't leave things alone. He's planning on building something he calls a Data-Center, in the old abandoned burrow on the north end of the property. Not sure what that is, but he said that we can make a lot of money renting space to other mammals and businesses."

Nick laughed. "That's for sure."

From the phone. "Hey mom, Liza said you needed something?"

"Yes Cliff. There are yet some revelations coming, and I am going to need you and Liza to listen carefully to what your brother-in-law, sister, and Pop-pop have to say."

From the phone the voice of both Liza and Cliff came at the same time.. "Okay..."

Pop-pop smiles. "Just listen, and yes, before you ask, I have the documentation, as does Nick and Judy."

Nick chuckled. "Hi Cliff, Nick here. So. Judy and I did some research as you know. She was digging into the oldest histories of the Hopps clan. I helped a little by getting her more documentation from my family. Well, we have pretty much confirmed that there was an alliance, a pact, between the Hopps clan and the Wilde family of foxes. One that lasted several centuries until a rift occured.

That rift was at least in part caused by a rabbit according to Pop-pop. Not sure if they were a Hopps or not, or what brought it about, but we have confirmed that the simplest and earliest bits of the ancient written language of the Hopps and Wilde's had the same origin. Same with the basic paw signs both families use. Judy got to researching it when she understood the basic paw signs I used and I hers. It let us learn each others full sign set quickly, since they had the same base."

Pop-pop spoke up. "I can confirm that I have documentation from after the rift." Looking to Alex. "It was a weasel that twisted the rabbit."

Alex dipped his head, his ears folding back. "Jaco Ulericass. My side of the family tells a story of how we destroyed an ancient alliance of predators and prey, and how it was a permanent stain upon the family. It was why we became the Uleric's. I don't know the story of what actually happened, just the name as the one whose shame we bear and is the reason we weasals are looked at as we are. We try very hard to be upstanding, trustworthy, clean. I know I can get the records from the family split. We took all the records with us. The others didn't care, they embraced it. They also succeeded in dying out because no one wanted to interact with them."

Nick smiled. "I think when we bring all this together, this story will be something else. I'll bet Mike's Pack has some data as well."

Cliff from the phone. "Who's Mike?"

"Mike Wolford, of the Wolford pack. There are some references to the Wolford pack in our documents."

Harlan laughed. "As there is in mine."

Liza from the phone. "Guys. Mom. Dad! If what you are saying is true and it can be corroborated. This could expose huge chunks of mammal history. We could be rewriting text books with this."

Judy nodded. "Yeah. Not only that, but with the group of mammals we're talking about getting together. We can form a great pact. It is an extension of what we found. There was a pact, if ever so briefly, and we suspect the reason the rift happened, but the Wolford pack joined the pact with the Wilde and Hop families. We became Hopps due to a clerical error a few centuries ago."

Looks went around the table, Nick finally speaking up, his voice strong and forceful as his eyes gleamed. "This. Needs. To. Happen. A pact across so many families and species. If could truly reshape the world. This is like the pact that established Zootopia itself." Turning to Judy. "Fluff! This is a way we can truly make not just the city, but the entire world a better place."

Liza came in over the phone. "Doesn't there need to be family or species leaders at such a thing?"

Judy shook her head. "Not necessarily. If a leader isn't there, then the mammals sign just for themselves and their own families. Such as Nick and I would sign for just ourselves if his mom, Vivian, refused to sign."

Vivian huffed. "As if that were even a question."

Smiling, Judy continued. "Just an example Viv." Looking at the phone. "Cliff, Liza. Since I'm on maternity leave, I'm going to work with you and we can start planning this." Looking up at those in the restaurant. "None of this leaves this room. As far as anyone is concerned, it is a get together of family and friends. Dad, I think this whole meal should fall under a Red carrot. You're going to need to have levels thirty through forty five of the burrow finished and ready. That way all these mammals will have a place to stay. Plan for species as large as Tigers, maybe a few larger. I'll let you know."

Stu nodded. "I agree with your sense of urgency, though I don't understand what this whole great pact is about. As for those levels, they're almost done. Just some modifications to make them suitable for what you suggest."

Nick smiled. "I can answer that Stu. It is an agreement, a pact, between the attending families, but it will spread. A great pact is what is said to have been the founding of Zootopia itself. Even if that is just the attendees that sign on in their individual family capacity as Judy said. It is the oldest type of agreement and is enshrined in the most ancient laws still on the books. In fact, it is law that Judy and I are bound as officers to enforce. The families will stand together. They will not harm each other. If one is attacked, the others will come to their defense. They will welcome each other into their homes, offer shelter from the winter, food and water in drought and famine. It binds them as extended family in a way."

Stu shook his head. "You think all these mammals would agree to such a thing?"

Smiling at her father, Judy nodded. "I do. At least most of them. There is a lot of preparation, and we'll want to hold the get together in a mild season, either spring of fall. Liza, Cliff and I will have to research what needs to be in the contract that all attendees will sign. As well as how we represent those that can stand for entire families versus just their own."

Nick grinned. "Love. I say you shoot for Spring. It's already mid-summer, and we don't want it to interfere with Carrot Day or All Hallows, and with how much needs to be put together, as I think there will be a few weddings taking place at that time too."

"You're right, of course. That makes the most sense. We just have to keep it under wraps. Only those we are sure of will be approached now, those we're less sure of later, or offered the chance to join at the meeting itself. A few weddings will make for good cover. Ours and Jess, if you and Alex are game to wait?"

Jess glanced at Alex who nodded enthusiastically. "We're game sis."

"Great. We have the advantage of the laws of the burrows too. Once we get mammals on the property, not even the sheriff can take them off unless we ask him to."

Harlan looked at the phone. "Y'all got that? Don't be sayin nothin."

Cliff over the phone. "No way Pop-pop. All that documentation will make us legends as historians. We won't do anything to jeopardize it. That pact will let us access all the documentation of all those that join."

Harlan nodded. "Good."

Nick turned and looked at Erin and Fin looking on. "What about you two?"

Fin nodded. "You know I'm wit ya, Red. Your both my brother and father. Even though I only represent myself, once it comes out, others will join. Erin?"

Erin smiled, wiping a tear. "My family has a pact with a family of deer. I grew up with them. I kit-sat their foals. Their eldest was my first crush, my first kiss, and I introduced him to his mate. I'm the godmother of their foals. That pact saved my family from financial ruin, and saved that family from losing their home. Well, they lost their home, but we helped them rebuild. A great pact. My mother told stories of the idea. Something that if I were to ever encounter, that I should seek to join. All my family are authorized to join such a thing on behalf of both families in such a pact." Chuckling. "I guess what I am saying is. Where do I sign? Judy, your decision to learn that form to facilitate your apology not only makes more sense, but it compels me even more so to join."

Judy smiled. "There are a lot of thing to get organized before then. You're definitely on the invite list then. You should join us for Girls night, if you're off in time."

Fin rolled his eyes. "I've already called Fay, Glen, and Jorge in. As soon as they get here, Erin and I are heading out. I'm playing poker with Red there, and I guess you'll be finding your way to wherever Cottontail is having her girls night." Giving Erin a look.

Bonnie turned to Judy. "Brother and father?"

Judy shook her head. "It's complicated mom. Just accept it as that."

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A/N Keep the reviews and comments coming, it's making Muse happy, which lets me work on this and other things. And also remember, if you see issues, misspellings, etc... Let me know in PM, I'm under no illusion of being perfect and want to fix those things I miss.

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