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.

66. Chapter 66

Here is the 66th installment. Hope you enjoy.

Notes now live at the end of the chapter, so here is the obligatory, on with the show.

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

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About six hours earlier.

Judy exited her apartment and met Lizz in the parking garage. "Lizz! You ready for this? Probably our last outing before we have a bunch of kits in tow and have to carry around the diaper bags, strollers, etc…"

Lizz grinned and nodded. "Oh, I very much am. It is so great to have actual friends I can do things with. Elli said she is dropping the pups off at their grandparents and will meet us at the mall."

Judy pulled the small set of stairs from under the seat and set them up, hooking the retrieval rope into place, then climbed up into the car. "Do you know who all is coming? Nobody will tell me."

Another car appeared, the window rolling down to reveal Terry Fenn, Darr's mate. "Hey ladies. Need a ride? Well, actually, I was told that you do need a ride."

Judy laughed and climbed back down. "Sure, but you're going to have to help me into that car."

Lizz nodded with a smile. "Yeah. I'd much rather not be driving while this pregnant."

A few moments later, with Terry helping Judy into the passenger seat, Lizz climbing into the back behind Judy. There being plenty of legroom for her since the seat was all the way forward and lifted for Judy.

Terry climbed back in and looked over the two pregnant mammals. "Darr would have come, but he's at work and will be for some time. They have gotten a real line on some of the corruption at the bank they were hired to audit. It seems they were not as good at covering up their activities as Darr is at finding it."

Judy smiled. "Not a problem, and I am very glad he is doing so well at this new job."

Terry gave a smile. "He really is, and so am I. So where to?"

Judy and Lizz grinned and both crowed at the same time. "To the Mall my good wolf! To the Mall!"

Terry nodded with a grin. "To the Mall then. Are you meeting friends?"

Lizz leaned forward and put a paw on Terry's shoulder. "I think we have met one already. How are you, Darr, and the pups doing?"

Terry's ears flicked to the side in embarrassment. "Thank you for saying that, Regent, and for asking after us. We are doing so much better now that Darr isn't being drugged by his co-workers. It's so horrible to think that all that happened, nearly cost us our place in the pack. All saved because your mates were able to see beyond the surface of what was happening.

I do not know how to even begin to thank you for all you and your mates have done for us. We have a better place to live. The pups have friends and a safe place to live and play. We may be one of the few single species families in the complex, but I don't think we will ever understand how mammals can be so hateful towards inters like you. You have shown us more honor, more compassion and love, than our own families."

Judy smiled warmly at Terry. "Terry. That right there is the whole thing. We see beyond a mammals fur and species, to the mammal inside. We may be different species, have slightly different cultures, but we generally have more in common than we do that might separate us. Plus, those things that are different. They make things interesting. They keep the world from becoming bland and boring. How dull? How lonely would it be if there was only one species on our world? Can you imagine that? Our differing cultures, species, ways of looking at things, sizes, etc… Make our world a much more interesting and vibrant place."

Terry nodded with a grin and she merged onto the freeway. "I could not agree with that more. Darr and I were never for, or against, inters. Love is love. But we never took sides either. Since the incident, we've been forced to look closer at some of the things we believed, and not just about inters, but about other species in general. As you say. We have so much more in common, and those differences are what make things interesting. They make meeting new mammals fun."

Lizz chuckled from the back. "Yeah. I blame the rabbit. Her and that fox have a knack for disrupting what you think about the world. If it wasn't for them, I probably never would have gotten with Mike. I swear they are chaos magnets, so watch yourself."

Judy held up a middle finger to Lizz, and looked to Terry. "Not like we try, things just kinda… happen… around us."

Terry laughed. "That's not a denial."

"No." Judy crossed her arms with a huff. "It is not. I don't know. I get what Lizz is talking about. It isn't like we go our of our way to blow things up, they just kinda… happen."

Lizz leaned back. "To give you an idea. Chief Bogo gave them the case of a few small robberies. You know, a few convenience stores and small liquor store type things getting robbed for what's in the till by small time crooks. Only, those two linked the three robberies they were supposed to be looking into, to robberies happening all over the city. Not only that, they discovered that it was all linked together, found a pattern, and took down an insurance scam that was going on across the city. Put a city council mammal behind bars, along with dozens of others."

"I think I remember reading about that. Why would he give them such a case?"

Lizz laughed. "That's the thing. It was supposed to be a simple, open and shut, low level robbery case. View the video, ID the perp, pick them up. Done. Only, Nick and Judy can see patterns and notice things the rest of us miss. Thus…"

"Thus, they bring down an insurance scam instead of just a small time crook."

Judy grumbled from her seat. "We got him too. Got him to flip on what was going on. He was just a dumb kid that got ropped into staging the robberies so they could file the insurance claims. He got paid, and got to keep whatever he got from the till, etc… He was using the money to pay his mom's medical bills."

Terry groaned. "Oh Luna. That's just nuts, and sad."

Judy shrugged. "What? The kid wanted to spill his guts, told us all about it. Gave us names, etc… He was so worried about his mom. We got him a job bussing tables at Greethas. Now he has an honest job, and is learning to cook from some of the best chef's on the planet."

Lizz smiled. "I remember you standing up for him in court. Confused the hell out of the judge. Got probation and time served or something like that, right?"

Judy nodded with a smile. "Yep. He was a good kit just trying to look after his mom and got roped into the scheme. We showed why he did it, that he gave us everything and was key in taking down almost forty mammals for various bits of fraud and other crimes. Judge gave him time served for his time in lockup and then two years probation. Something he could easily keep up since we had already lined him up for the job. Last I talked to him, his mom is doing better, though she has to be in a home to get care. He's able to see her every few days, and brings her things he has cooked to try. Not only that, but he says they're talking about giving him a shift at Greethas, to see how it works out."

Lizz grinned. "Oh my gods! Judy, that is amazing! You need to find out when he is going to be doing that shift so we can try out his food. See, Terry. It isn't always bad that spins out of their chaotic storm. Just look at you and Darr."

Terry nodded as she pulled up to the Mall. "I do, and oddly, I will ever be thankful for them drugging my mate and pointing him at yours like some kind of missile."

Judy glanced back at Lizz.

J: Should we invite her with?

L: Yes, though you know she is going to say she cannot afford anything.

J: Yes, and that's okay. I don't plan on buying her anything, and if she happens to walk out of Vivian's with a dress, well…

L: I'm on-board.

Judy then smiled at Terry, who was looking at the two of them confused. "What was that?"

Judy's smile got wider. "Why don't you park in the spot right over there for pregnant mammals. You may not be, but you are the driver for the two of us, so I think that qualifies."

Lizz nodded with an even wider grin. "Yes. Then you can come in with us. Meet some friends, and shop. And before you complain about not being able to afford anything. That's what we are doing. Shopping. No one is saying anything about buying."

Terry looked between the two grinning mammals and couldn't help but smile, her tail thumping the seat slightly. "Okay. Just lay off the Cheshire grins. Who knew a bunny could be so predatory."

Lizz laughed. "Oh, just wait for lunch."

Parking, Terry looked back at Lizz. "Why? What about lunch?"

Judy laughed as she waited to be helped out of the car. "You'll just have to wait and see."

Terry helped Judy out of the seat and they were entering the mall a few minutes later. Terry sending a text to Darr to let him know that she wouldn't be back because the Regent and her First demanded her continued presence. The wording of the text was helped by Lizz and Judy, after they made sure that it was clear that the invite was personal and not having to do with their positions. That didn't mean that her mate needed to know that, at least at the moment. Thus keeping him from bothering her while they were enjoying themselves.

Entering the mall, Judy got a text and chuckled. "We're meeting up at the juice bar, as usual. They've already ordered for us and I told them to get a wolf special for you, Terry."

Lizz nodded with a smile. "Great. Let's get there quick. My stamina isn't what it was, carrying around these pups." Glancing at Terry. "Does your stamina return quickly?"

Terry laughed. "Yes, but only because you have no choice. Savor what sleep you can get now, once they're born, sleep will be a distant, hazy memory for about a year."

Judy groaned. "Yeah. That's what all my sisters and cousins have told me. Thank the gods we both have relatives to lean on and get a bit of relief."

Terry nodded. "Those moments will be both the best, and worst. You will miss them dearly, let me tell you. But you will also be so relieved to have even a few moments peace."

They approached the juice bar and Terry blinked. "There are a lot of mammals in there."

Lizz laughed. "Good grief. Judy, who all is here?"

Judy laughed. "More than I expected. I guess they all wanted to hang out before you and I were otherwise tied down."

Terry chuckled nervously. "You know all these mammals?"

Judy nodded. "Yes, and we consider them all friends. I hope we can call you that too. Again, you do not have to hang out with us. Lizz and I were not asking in our capacities as First and Regent, but just as fellow mammals offering friendship to a mammal that looked like she could use a friend, and some shopping."

Terry smiled. "I understand, Judy. I thank you for that. You clearly understand the dynamic in the pack that your position as First puts you in."

Lizz nodded with a smile. "Yes. You, as Darr's mate, are in a tenuous position, but it is unfair to treat you the same. You tried to stop him, but also stood by your mate, not knowing that he had been drugged. Honestly, Mike and I have discussed it with Nick and Judy. While we are going to keep Darr on in his position, the threat of exile will be officially removed."

Terry blinked to keep the tears at bay. "Really? I mean. Even considering the drugging, he was so far out of line."

Lizz smiled. "Yes. Yes, he was. Which is why he is still going to be in his position as before, but removing the threat of exile only seemed reasonable, given the extenuating circumstances."

Terry had to wipe away a tear. "Thank you."

Judy patted her arm. "Hey. No tears. You are both good mammals, you just need the chance, and that is what we are giving you. Now… Let me introduce you to some mammals. I guess a few of these are new to you too, Lizz." Judy started pointing and naming mammals. "We have my best friend from college, Maria. Yes she is, don't stress it. She's married to one of her dancers."

Maria laughed. "Yeah, Jarvis is the best mammal."

Judy laughed. "I think we would all say that about our mates. It is not a competition. Anyway…" Rolling her eyes and continuing. "The lynx in the designer outfit is Carry, she is married to a coyote. You probably recognize the water deer, Elli, who is married to Ed Wolford, Mike's brother."

Elli squealed and gave Lizz a hug. "Hi sis! We had our appointment this morning. Everything is going well, but too early to know more. I still can't believe it!"

Lizz grinned and chuckled. "I know. It'll sink in once you start to show."

Judy smiled. "That's right. Congratulations again, Elli." Pointing to a red fox vixen. "Then we have Joan. She is Nick's cousin and is married to a wolf. Subordinate pack called Furrest."

Joan chuckled. "I think they were trying to go for Forrest and missed, or thought they were being cheeky. The pack was formed in the 70s after all."

Terry nodded. "Darr and I are independents, but have considered joining one of the outer packs. How do you like the Furrest, pack"

Joan smiled. "They're a good pack. They accepted Mikel and I after his birth pack rejected our relationship, and that was before we even became officially mated. There are actually a few inter families that are part of Furrest."

Terry nodded. "Do you know if they are open?"

Joan shrugged. "I don't, but I'll text Mikel and he can find out. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Thank you. I'm Terry Fenn."

Judy smiled. "I do believe they are accepting, but it would be good to have Mikel check. My information is a few weeks old. Now, the sheep trying to hide in the back is Janice Glaver. She is also ZPD, and recently got transferred to Precinct One. Then we have Fionna Hopps, my younger sister." Janice waved nervously as Fionna hopped over and gave Judy a hug.

"Judy! You look ready to pop."

Judy grinned and returned the hug. "Good to see you, sis. Yeah. Doctor says any time now. We even have a midwife, who is right there." Judy gave the fennec fox a hug. "Domi, I'm glad you could make it."

Domi smiled with a grin. "What? You think I'm going to let my patients wander around the mall for hours without supervision? I think not. Besides, this seems like a fun group of mammals."

Nodding, Judy continued. "Of course, we have Gloria and Jason, our Nightwolves." Pointing to a bobcat. "Then we have Jael Wolfell, and I'm sure you recognize that name. The more you get to know us inters, you will realize there are more of us than most mammals think. We are still a minority, but there are enough of us that you have probably known a few without knowing it. The elephant in the room is Francine, and the black rhino next to her is her mate Sashida. You know Sasha from the complex." Indicating the Dhole. "Then my sister Lizz, or Lizza. After all the help she and her crew gave us in the move, I figured it only fair that I treat her to a little shopping."

Lizza was grinning and hopped up to give Lizz a peck on the cheek. "Hi Lizz! Judy." Giving Judy a hug. "Yeah. It's the least you could do." Giving her a wink.

Judy shook her head. "And… I am regretting it already." The sisters shared a knowing chuckle as Judy pointed out a Maned wolf. "Lastly, there is Angie, who is mated to Lizz's cousin."

Walking in behind them, Jeff snorted. "What? I don't rate an introduction, just because I'm a guy?"

Judy laughed. "Well, you are a leopard, so…" Pretending to ignore Jeff, Judy indicated Terry. "Everyone. This is Terry Fenn."

There was a large, loud, collective "Hi Terry."

Judy then turned around with a laugh as Jeff huffed. "The snarky leopard is Jeff. He's mated to a Lion of all mammals. Then we have… Oh my gods! Patricia! You made it! I wasn't sure if you would. I know you don't really know us much. I'd hug you if I could."

Patricia Bogo stepped up with a smile. "I realized it was time I got myself some friends outside of the little clique that I'm used to. Of course, when it came out in some conversation that I am an inter, and not in a traditional relationship to boot. Well, that little group of friends showed their true colors."

Lizz stepped up and gave Patricia a hug. "Well. You will find no judgments or recriminations here. I'm kinda surprised that Ben isn't here as well."

Patricial laughed. "He considered it, but I insisted that he and Adrian use this as some time for just them. They haven't gotten nearly enough alone time, where it is just them in the house. I'm almost terrified to go home now and find out what those two have gotten up to."

Lizz chuckled. "I doubt it will be too much. I heard Adrian also scored some tickets for Ben and him to go to a certain upcoming concert."

Patricia nodded. "Yes, and that is all, them. A date night for the two of them." Reaching out a hoof. "Hello. Patricia Bogo."

Terry shook the hoof with a smile. "Nice to meet you. Terry Fenn."

Patricia smiled and looked back to Lizz. "I just wish I could get tickets to the next NightHowler concert. That is more my speed, and I'll tell you a secret. I could drag Ben with me and he'd only complain as a show. He's a Nighthowler fanatic just as much as he is a Gazelle fanatic."

Judy and Lizz both started laughing. Judy hollering over the din of conversation as they tried to decide where to go first. "Maria! Another NightHowler fan!"

Maria stepped around the table with a grin, holding out her hoof. "Hi. You are a NightHowler fan?"

Patrica's eyes went wide. "Yes. You're… Wow. It is a pleasure to meet you. I really wish Ben and Adrian were here now."

"Well, I have met Adiran. I planned to surprise Ben at the precinct at some point. Judy has told me he is a super-fan."

Patricia laughed. "Understatement of the millenium. I love the cheetah, but he'd do just about anything for a kiss from you, and he doesn't like most females."

Maria laughed with a wink. "You being an exception I am guessing. Well, I suppose we will just have to arrange that for him. When is his birthday?"

"A week before your next concert. Adrian got some tickets for Ben and himself."

Maria looked down to Judy. "Was that why Nick wanted the good seats on those tickets?"

Judy nodded. "Yes. Didn't want to get too good a set of seats. Would tip our hand."

"Well. I may just have to drop by some backstage passes. Is he working on his birthday?"

Patricia nodded. "Adrian tries to get him to take the day, but Ben refuses. If Adrian is working, Ben is there."

Maria grinned. "Going to give him the tickets that morning, or that night?"

"That morning, since there is no telling when Adrian will get off work. We always do birthdays in the morning."

"Excellent. Sounds like I have a plan then. I'll show up around 11 that morning and present him with some passes, and a kiss. Now, are either of them Nighthowler fans, or is that just you?"

Patricia turned to Judy. "You had better get video. As for Nighthowler, I love Nighthowler, and so does Ben, but he hides it well. I grew up on metal, while Adrian was raised very traditional, and well… Ben is Ben. He'd make a show of complaining and dragging his tail, but it would be just that, a show, for Adrian's sake."

Judy nodded. "We will make sure it happens." Turning to the group. Okay! Where are we heading first? And where is my smoothie? Someone needs to feed the rabbit before she takes a bite out of one of you!" A smoothie is quickly passed to Judy and Lizz.

A few moments later, Lizz is sitting in a wheelchair, rolling her eyes, hard, with Judy sitting in a modified booster attached to the chair, also rolling her eyes, hard. Domi grinning up at them. "What? You thought I was going to let you two, literally about to pop, mammals wander around the mall for hours on end? Not on your feet you won't. There is enough strain on your backs, knees, etc… as is" Pointing into the mall. "Forward!"

With Sashida taking charge of pushing the chair, they made their way deeper into the mall, several mall security guards trailing. Lizz finally got tired of it after the third store and had them stop and turn to face the guards. "Look. If you are going to follow us around, why don't you just hang with us. You can keep a better eye on what we are doing, and at least we'll feel less like criminals."

One of the guards, a wolf, put up his paws. "It isn't like that, I swear! It is just. Lady Regent. We were curious. After your last trip here, there were some changes, and then when we recognized that the Regent and her First, along with a rather large and varied entourage show up. We became concerned. Not that you might do something, but that others may try something."

Lizz looked to Judy and sighed. "Is it always going to be like this?"

Judy nodded. "At least for a while. It's only been a few weeks since the official, provisional, recognition of you as Regent. Maybe a few months out and it'll calm down. So yeah. It's going to be like this for a while." Turning to the guards. "Again, regardless of your reason. Either hang out with us, or stop trailing us like we're criminals. I mean, there are four ZPD officers in this group, along with two Nightwolves." Noticing that Jason had disappeared, then seeing him appearing to browse a store behind the guards. "Well, one with us and one pretending he's checking out purses." Ginning at seeing Jason's ear twitch. "Anyway. We're here to shop, buy stuff, and not to be harassed by mall security, regardless of their reasons. So as the Regent stated. Either join the group or go about your business unless called in for some reason."

The guards ears folded back and his tail tucked. "My sincerest apologies, Regent. First. I, that is, we, meant no offense."

The second guard growled. "You never did have a spine, Greg. Well I mean offense. Bunch of perverted inters, the lot of you. Disgusting. I don't expect you to steal anything, but I am here to make sure you do not spread your perversion to any young mammals that might come across you. While you are in my mall, you will not interact with any young mammals. You will not talk to them, you will not interact with them. I don't care who you think you are. I do not recognize you as Regent or First. You have no authority here."

The first guard, Greg, stepped in front of the second. "Dude! What are you doing? You don't have authority to do that. They could arrest you for harassment! Besides, it isn't about having a spine. The council has recognized them, therefore, until and only if the council changes their mind, they are the Regent and her First. What species they are is irrelevant. Our cousin is on the council, you know that. He told me that the fox showed more honor than most wolves. They have also exiled four council members at this point. Did you not hear that? Four council members because they were committing offenses so egregious that it forced the council to accept them, even if provisionally, and exile four council members. Do you really think you know more than the council?"

The wolf waved a paw in the air. "Bah! The council is a bunch of old dottering fools who can't even scent their own tail at this point. That they accept that pelt is more proof than anything that they are unfit. That they are willing to even consider accepting an inter pervert and his mutant spawn cements their unfitness. I no longer recognize them, and there are many like me. You had best pick a side, Greg, because a fission is coming and you don't want to be on the wrong side of it."

Greg looked down, his ears back, but tail up, and shook his head. "You are right, Bill. You are right. I have to pick a side. History will judge me, and I accept that judgment with honor and trust in Luna and the ancestors. I recognize the authority of the current Alphas, the Council, the Designate, his chosen First, the Regent, and her chosen First. I stand with them, and I stand with the pack, against those that would seek to tear it down."

Bill's eyes went wide and his ears disappeared. "Greg! What are you doing?"

Greg sniffed and sighed. "I do what honor demands of me. I know you, my brother, and I take no pleasure or pride in this. I know you will not change, and that you will only harden your heart unless something drastic happens, and perhaps not even then will you understand the wrongness of your position. This has been true many times in the past. Since we were pups. You have always been quick to judge, slow to change, and harsh of word and deed.

You think yourself an Alpha, but you were not chosen because you lack the temperament, the wisdom needed. Strength is required, truly. But to be Alpha, one must also be strong of mind and deed. Strong of decision and conviction. Wise and open to new ideas, new understandings, and change. You are strong, but not wise, not open, not able to accept that you may not always be right and need to alter your thinking. That is why I was chosen as family Alpha, not you.

It is therefore as family Alpha that I do this with sorrow in my heart. I have tried to guide you. I have tried to lead you away from those you choose to associate with, and who feed you bad ideas. Who feed your hatred instead of reducing it.

I can no longer allow you to poison the family. I can no longer allow you to bring your hatred, your bigotry, and your small mindedness into the family and teach it to the pups. They looked up to their uncle Bill, but even they ask why I do not stop you from saying the things you do. Even the pups recognize that you are not right in the things you say, but are afraid to voice this to you.

Robert James Woolfor. It is with a heavy heart, I Gregor Markus Woolfor, Alpha of Family Woolfor, exile you for a period of six months from this day. You will not be welcomed in the family den. You will not be welcomed at pack circles and congregations.

You will be allowed, under escort, to retrieve your personal items and one weeks worth of food. You will be allowed to use the guest apartment for a period of two weeks in order to obtain a den of your own. During this exile, you will not interact with any other member of the family save me, to prove to me that you have learned, grown, and changed from the hateful wolf that stands before me.

This is my decree as Alpha of Family Woolfor." Taking three steps back from Bill, Greg sniffs again. "I ask that the Nightwolves present, the Seconds Mate, Lady Elli, the Regents First, and the Regent, recognize this decree and witness it."

Lizz sighed and stood as Gloria helped Judy down to her feet. They both stepped forward and stood next to Greg. Lizz placed a paw on his shoulder. "I, Regent Elizabeth Violetta Wolford-Fangmeyer, recognize your decision to do this now and not wait, due to the severity and concern of the offense, and therefore recognize your decree, Alpha of Family Woolfor." Bowing her head.

Judy placed her paw on his opposite arm. "I, First of the Regent, Judith Laverne HoppsWilde, do so recognize your decree, Alpha of Family Woolfor." Bowing her head as well.

Elli stepped forward and stood next to Judy, placing her hoof on his free shoulder. "I, Ellissa Marie Wolford, mate of the Second, do so recognize your decree, Alpha of Family Woolfor."

Gloria and Jason stepped forward, placing her paw on Lizz's shoulder opposite Greg, Jason placing his paw on Judy's. Gloria speaking. "The Nightwolves do so recognize your decree, Alpha of Family Woolfor."

Jason then spoke, as both he and Gloria bowed their heads. "A Nightwolf will be provided to perform this escort in recognition of the honor you have shown, and the heavy weight this places upon you." An all black Nightwolf appeared next to Bill. "His name is Venheil, and he will serve as guard and escort to ensure your decree is followed. Dismiss him when his task is complete."

Greg nodded. "I thank you." He then leaned his head back, and everyone knew what was coming. The look of terror in Bill's eyes was clear. Greg then let out a very specific and sorrowful howl. Judy, and the Nightwolves, accept for Venheil, howling as well. It only lasted a few seconds, and there were no response howls, though several wolves could be seen with eyes wide and ears folded, watching the scene or their heads snapping towards where the howl came from.

Greg and the rest then turned their backs on Bill, Lizz and Judy getting back in the chair and being pushed away as Bill yelled curses and insults at the group and Greg specifically.

A few minutes and a floor of the mall later, Greg turned to Lizz and Judy. "I am sorry to have brought you into that. It was unfair of me."

Lizz held up her paw. "Stop. You have nothing to apologize for. You clearly have tried to help him as your brother, and as Alpha, but some you just cannot reach. At most you could be faulted for doing it in public like that, but as I stated in the moment, we recognize the need to address the issue then and there. Doing such in public, in view of other mammals is not something to be done lightly, or easily, but it is allowed. Most will not understand, and that is fine. Those that do will recognize that it is not done lightly or carelessly."

Greg nodded as he pulled out his phone. "If you will forgive me. I need to make a call, since the howl, while needed for the ceremony, will not have done its purpose in our modern society and let the rest of the family know."

Judy chuckled with a wave of her paw. "We're just impressed that you managed to wait this long. Make your call, then rejoin us. The boys could use another male."

Greg nodded with a smile. "Thank you." Then stepped away to make his call.

Elli grinned and gave Lizz a hug. "Sis. You did perfect! All the right moves. All the right things to say. You've been training with mom a lot."

Lizz chuckled. "I've been training a lot less than I think I should, but with the provisional acceptance, we have been able to slow down. No need to cram, but take it slower and actually let the learning sink in."

Elli shrugged. "Well, whatever it is, you handled that perfectly. Exactly as a wolf should. As the Regent, should."

Gloria nodded and placed a paw on Lizz's shoulder. "She's right. You handled that as if you were raised a wolf. Where did you learn that? I ask only because I know such rituals are not things that have been covered by either your First or the Alpha."

Lizz shrugged with a smile. "It just seemed right. I could…"

Judy laughed. "It was Mike. You tapped into his memories and knowledge. Nick and I do that all the time. It just means that you two have moved up a level or two in your connection. The range of that is much farther than where you can actually converse. It's more of an instinctive thing. When you need to know something that he knows, you'll just know it, and vice versa. Speaking of. I wonder where Nick is."

Judy then reached out to where Nick was in her head.

J: Hey, can you hear me? We're in the mall. Wondering if you are in range.

N: Hey. Hey! We're actually chasing a speeder through Tundra Town. It's about to become a high speed chase if they don't stop soon.

J: Wow. That's the farthest ever.

N: It is.

J: Stay safe.

N: I will. Love you.

Judy grinned and looked up at Lizz. "They're actually chasing a speeder in Tundratown. I'm kinda shocked I could reach him. That's the full city away!"

Lizz Smiled. "Wow! No kidding. Do you know if Nick or Mike was driving?"

"Nick most likely."

Lizz nodded. "Cool. Let me try." Lizz did as Judy and Nick and showed them and felt for Mike and frowned. "I can feel him, but it is so faint. I get this sensation back, like he feels that I'm reaching out…"

Judy nodded. "Yeah, the range takes time. It just grows on its own over time. Nick and I used to deliberately test it, just have long chats as we walked in opposite directions until we couldn't do anything but feel each other. Over time the distance got longer, even when we weren't trying."

Francine blinked and shook her head, her trunk swinging side to side, ears flapping. "Hold up! Are you telling me that Lizz and Mike can do that spooky dung that you and Nick do? And what do you mean they're in a chase?"

Judy looked back at the elephant. "Yep, that's exactly what I'm saying. Also, they are apparently pursuing a speeder that won't stop and it may end up a high-speed chase."

With that, they quickly made their way over to an electronics store and found the news station, getting there just as they were breaking in with a high speed chase in Tundratown. Janice stepped up next to Lizz and Judy, looking at the tv's in confusion, then over to the rabbit. "Judy. I haven't been here that long, and I really appreciate you guys asking me out. But… What was Francine talking about? Spooky stuff you and Nick do?"

Francine laughed from above. "Hang on. I have some video of it during one of their interrogations. It's scary when they get going." Finding the video, she held her phone, which was as large as a large TV for some of them. "Just watch them. You can see Judy notice something, but Nick will say it. Nick will pick up on something, but Judy will be the one that calls it out. The two of them can communicate without speaking. Now apparently it has rubbed off on Lizz and Mike.

You have no idea how useful it is, though, despite how freaky it is. They can be on opposite sides of a building, and one can tell the other when mammals are moving towards them. I swear, I've seen them both do blind aim and hit their targets. Absolutely no way possible for them to be able to pull it off unless the other was guiding that aim."

Janice shook her head, her square pupils looking at the rabbit. "Seriously? You can do that?"

Judy shrugged. "Wasn't something we set out to be able to do. Just kinda happened. It can happen when you are sufficiently in sync with your mate. We don't make a secret of it, but don't really run around screaming it at the top of our lungs." Glancing back at the TV, Judy growled. "Hang on just a second."

J: Nick. We're watching from the view of the channel 7 chopper. There is some traffic about two miles ahead of you. You need to end this. Pit them, or you're going to run right into stop and go from an earlier accident.

N: Crap! Thanks for the warning, Fluff. You see anything else?

J: They have tried to get a view into the vehicle, there are definitely two mammals, can't tell what they are.

N: Thanks Fluff. That's info we didn't have. We're moving in. Wish you were driving for this part.

J: You're going to have to be fast. Remember, you want to catch their back corner with the pusher on the front of the cruiser, not the front corner. TV always gets that wrong. You also don't want it to be a jerk into them. Come up like you're trying to pull alongside, then slide over like you're changing lanes to slide in behind them. As soon as you feel the guard connect, give the wheel a jerk to push them, then correct and back off.

N: Got it!

Judy and the others watched as the cruiser accelerated just like it was trying to pull alongside. Then started to slide behind, and before the driver could react, it slipped sideways, and then the guard caught the back end of the fleeing car. A sudden jerk, and then the cruiser struggled for control for a moment as it slowed, the fleeing car sliding and fishtailing, clearly losing control. After several moments, it spun and slammed rear first into the divider, the air bags clearly deploying.

The officers watched with clinical detachment as the now wrecked car came to a stop. A different cruiser having passed Nick and Mike and blocking the car from pulling forward. Weapons drawn, Officers Growley and Fangmeyer (the wolf) exited their vehicle. Nick and Mike pulling around and turning their cruiser the wrong way on the freeway, also exiting their vehicle, weapons drawn.

The stand off lasted only a few minutes. A pair of wolves pulled from the vehicle. Judy and Lizz laughed, recognizing Relti as one of them, and having been the driver. Lizz looked to Judy. "What are the odds? Relti, and he was the driver."

Judy shrugged. Seeing Nick and Mike getting back in their cruiser and leaving, other cruisers taking their place. Clearly ordered away as soon as they recognized Relti and reported in. "Well, that was something exciting. They probably reported to Bogo that they knew Relti as a former member of the council that worked against us. So, where to next, ladies?"

Over the next few hours they wandered from store to store, the bags that followed them seeming to increase in number by magic. Finally finding themselves in a restaurant instead of the food court.

Carry glared at Judy. "Judy. I am paying. End of story."

Judy rolled her eyes. "Whatever." Lifting the menu, she frowned. "This is a prey menu…" Scanning it again, she tossed it down and looked over the Lizz. "What are you having?"

Lizz chuckled. "I am looking at the crusted salmon with garlic asparagus and rice pilaf."

Judy nodded. "That sounds lovely. I'll have that."

Elli groaned. "That does sound really good. Juuuudy…" Whining with the best of them. "What is wrong with me? I only eat a little chicken and such with Ed. Now I can't seem to get enough, and I've never eaten fish. Is it good?"

Judy laughed. "It is very good. I'm actually quite fond of fish, but shrimp are simply the bomb."

Elli nodded. "Okay. I'll try it."

The waiter came by and took the orders, getting to Lizz, Judy, and Elli last. "Okay, and what can I get you ladies?"

Lizz chuckled. "This will be entertaining. I'll have the crusted salmon with asparagus."

The waiter, a leopard, smiled. "Excellent choice."

Judy grinned. "I'll have the same."

Elli sighed and nodded. "I'll also have that."

The waiter frowned. "Ma'am? She is ordering fish."

Judy shook her head. "I'm well aware of that. Both Elli and I." Indicating Elli. "Are carrying the kits of a predator, so our bodies need protein to keep them healthy. Meaning, we both eat meat now. So please. Size appropriate portions of the crusted salmon."

The waiter looked around, seeing the others nod, shrugged. "Yes ma'am. I just have to check, given that you are prey. Anyway, I'll get this all in right away."

Lizz smiled. "Thank you."

Terry looked over at Judy. "Wait! You really eat meat?"

Judy laughed. "Since I was about twelve or thirteen. I had a lot of predator friends as a kit, and when I hit a wall in my work to become stronger and faster. I decided I was going to be a cop when I was eight, told my parents when I was nine. Anyway, the doctor said that I needed more protein in my diet to go father, and I'd need to eat a bunch of beans and some other stuff. I saw a shortcut. I started having my predator friends hook me up with fish and chicken jerky, as well as predator protein bars.

That helped me blow through that wall of strength and speed. According to the doctor, it is also why Nick and I are able to have kits. It is why Elli is able to have Ed's pups. Because she started eating the chicken with him every so often. There are changes our bodies underwent when we started eating the meat, and those changes mean that our bodies are now able to support a predators kits. Of course, that means that we need to eat even more, now that we are carrying said kits."

Terry chuckled. "Absolutely insane."

Sashida looked across the table and shook her head. "Wow. Fran told me, and I have to say, I didn't believe it. You really are carrying the fox, Nick's kits?"

Judy nodded with a smile. "I am."

Sashida grinned. "That is so amazing! Now I understand why Fran was always telling me that you were some of the most supportive of us."

Judy smiled. "We're happy for you both. You deserve your happiness, and it doesn't matter to us what species, or sex, or whatever, the mammal that makes you happy, is. As long as they make you happy and it is consensual."

They chatted about various things for a good thirty minutes when a dozen mammals appeared carrying the food ordered by the large group of varied mammals. Elli sniffed the fish and grinned. "Oh gods, that smells amazing."

Judy laughed and nodded as her plate was placed in front of her. "It does at that."

They quickly dug in, though Judy stopped after her second bite, trying to identify a familiar flavor that seemed out of place. She looked over to Elli then over to Lizz, her eyes going wide as Lizz went to put another bite of the fish in her mouth. Grabbing her spoon, Judy threw it, knocking the fish from Lizz's fork. "NO!"

Lizz looked at her confused and upset. "Judy? What the hell?"

Judy gave a twitch, clearly feeling something. "Poison." Looking to Maria. "Ergot and something else I'm unsure of. We need to get to a hospital, now!"

Maria gasped. "Oh no!" Quickly pulling out her phone.

Domi growled and pointed to Janice and Francine. "You two. You're officers? You need to find out who did this and arrest them. The doctors are probably going to need samples to figure out what they have been poisoned with." Turning to Elli. "You're probably immune, but you'll still need to be treated to ensure you don't have issues with your pups."

Janice and Francine were up and charging into the kitchen a moment later, Lizz on the phone with the station while Judy had called dispatch to have them send an ambulance and backup for Janice and Francine. Lizz and Judy were quickly moved to the wheelchair, Elli riding on Lizz's lap, and Domi riding on Sashida's shoulder, they were charging through the mall towards the nearest exit that the ambulance could get to.

When the ambulance pulled up, they tried to load Judy in and leave Lizz. Judy grabbed the roe deer paramedic by his collar. "Listen here you are taking all four of us. We were poisoned with the same thing, so you are taking all three of us, and…" Judy groaned and grabbed her abdomen. "Oh mammal! That was a contraction." Lizz doing the same a moment later.

Domi growled. "They're both going into labor. I'm their midwife. You will take all four of us to Zootopia General, right this instant, or I will have your license hung up next to the last idiot that tried to screw over one of my patents."

Taken aback the deer shook his head. "There is no way you are the midwife for a rabbit."

His partner, a rabbit buck with very similar markings to Judy came around to see what the issue was. "Jak, what's going on?" Seeing Judy he smiled. "Hey, Sis. What's up?"

"Nick. Your partner is not wanting to let Lizz and I on the same ride, and doesn't believe that Domi is our Midwife."

Nick frowned. "Jak. Stop being an arse. Get them loaded up…" Clearly remembering the details of the call as his eyes went wide. "Shit! Jak! Do your damn job! I'm tired of your specist attitudes affecting patient care." Seeing the deer give him a defiant look, he turned to Lizz and Judy. "Can you get in on your own?"

Sashida kneeled down. "I will help them into the back."

Nodding, Nick glared at his partner. "Thank you. You know what. Jak, you can wait here and get a ride another way."

"You can't do that?"

"Ask me if I care." Turning to Sashida. "Thank you for the assistance."

Lizz and Judy were loaded quickly with Domi, Joan, and Elli as well, Sashida managing to fit as well. They were on the road a few moments later and Nick was on the radio reporting into his own dispatch that he left his partner behind and why.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Dispatch, this is EMR22815, Nick. I have left Jak at the mall."

"You did WHAT?!"

"The pickup was two pregnant mammals who have been poisoned. One is a rabbit, the other a tiger. Jak let his specisim get in the way of transporting both mammals to the hospital and caused a delay in them being loaded. Thankfully one of their friends is an off duty EMT, as well as their midwife."

Disbelief clear in the voice over the radio. "What rabbit would be comfortable with a pregnant tiger in the same bus, unless it's your sister."

Nick chuckled into the radio. "It is in fact my sister and her best friend, who is a tiger. The one that married a wolf recently. Their mutual midwife is a fennec, so…"

The mammal on the other end of the radio clearly forgot to release the mic as their groan was audible. "Understood. We'll call his cell. ETA to ZG?"

"Ten minutes." Nick chuckled into the radio again. "Correction. I just had four ZPD pull in front of me and two behind, running lights. Make that three minutes."

"Roger, EMR22815. ZG advised you are arriving with escort."

Judy groaned from the back. "Oh gods. Bogo is going to have a fit!"

Lizz laughed, then groaned. "Nah. I overheard him yelling at dispatch to make sure we weren't delayed."

Nick spoke towards the back. "Sashida, Domi. How are the patients?"

Domi hissed. "Not as good as they are trying to put on. We need to get them to the hospital now."

"We're going as fast as we can. We're going to get there in a fraction of what it would be thanks to the escort. Hey, Sis. Tell your pals I could use this kind of treatment more often."

Judy tried to laugh, and failed, her voice clearly strained. "I'll be sure to mention it."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Two minutes later they pulled up to the ER entrance and the doors flew open, Sashida stepping out to clear the way, much to the surprise of the ER mammals, considering it was a medium mammal bus. The three ladies, Lizz, Judy, and Elli were quickly put on stretchers and wheeled into the ER. One of the doctors rolling his eyes and sending them up to the maternity ward without bothering to look at them.

The doctor in question, a hyena, walked around to Nick and demanded. "What the hell are you doing bringing pregnant mammals to the ER, let alone a rabbit, a deer, and a tiger in the same bus?"

Nick growled but didn't get a chance to respond as Sashida picked the doctor up by the back of his coat. "Because, doctor. That was Judy HoppsWilde and her best friend Lizz Wolford-Fangmeyer, the mate of the Wolford pack Designate and recognized Regent, and her chosen and recognized First, along with their friend and mate of the Second, Elli Wolford. All of whom were poisoned, thus the ambulance and arriving at the ER.

Since you couldn't be bothered to evaluate that fact, despite it being communicated as the reason for their arrival, I will be sure to file a report with the board. If something should happen to them, you can be assured that said report will become a complaint demanding your license be revoked. Given the number of complaints you already have for specisit attitudes and treating patients differently depending on species, I expect that will finally result in your termination." She then summarily dropped him.

The doctor looked up at Sashida with fear in his eyes. "Oh…"

Nick dropped down, landing on the doctors crotch. "Yeah. Oh. It is mammals like you that make this city a worse, not better place to live." Looking up at the rhino. "Sashida, go ahead and check on them. I'm going to park and go on break, given that she is my sister, I have phone calls to family to make." He then jumped back into the ambulance and pulled away, almost running over the doctors tail.

The doctor watched the ambulance pull away, then looked at the retreating form of the rhino EMT that he now recognized and groaned. "Shit…" He jumped suddenly as Nick's ambulance lights and sirens lit up and it tore away from the hospital. Knowing that meant that they were about to get very busy if even a bus with only the driver is being called in. He then looked back into the hospital where his coworkers could be seen giving him less than friendly looks. His ears and tail folding down. "I should have stayed in Lost Angels."

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A/N

How's that for a cliffhanger? BWAhahahahaha!

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 dcballard . com ( Direct: ascensionnovel . / scribblings (remove the spaces) because the forwarding is misbehaving.)

If you enjoy this, and you are not also reading my original Log Entries series over on my Blog. Why aren't you? (takes a Nick-esk pose of hurt) Also. I am now posting them on AO3, so you have even less excuse. It's free, ORIGINAL fiction. "An original story told through the log entries of the pilot and captain of an experimental star ship."

You should really be checking out my bestest bud, Bear678, and his story What Foxes May Come, and his latest story Heart-Beeps.

So keep those reviews and comments coming. 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.