A/N \\\ So... Here is the 10th installment. Hope you enjoy.

The events here take place a year or two after the movie. I'm not actually sure how long, but it has been enough time that Nick and Judy are officially together.

Note: I am going to use an internal dialog technique here that I am totally stealing from another author. I loved it so much I'm test driving it here in hopes of using the same technique in my original works.

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.

Shorter one, and a quicker update because this got edited with the chap 9.

WARNING: I expect you'll find some cavity inducing fluffiness here, and some suggestive content as well, though nothing outright graphic. You have been warned. ;)

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

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Pulling into their designated spot in the apartment complex, Nick looked over and smiled at his mate who had been especially quiet on the ride. Judy had fallen asleep and had a gentle twitch going on her nose. Getting out of the car quietly, and gently closing his door, Nick moved around, pulled her bags from the back seat, and then carefully opened the passenger door.

He carefully extracted the rabbit, cradling her in his arms as he closed the door with a foot and locked it. She sniffed a few times in her sleep, murmured something about her fox, and snuggled down into his arms and against his chest.

Their car wasn't new, even if the could afford one if they wanted, but it was new-er, low millage, used Wolf-size Spring Buck sedan; just a year old with lots of the bells and whistles. That included the key-less entry system they had opted for. It was more expensive than the other car they had been looking at, but was worth it, especially in moments like this. No fumbling for his keys to lock the car as he carried her towards their home.

Entering the building, Nick opted for the elevator. The four flights of stairs weren't an issue for him, even carrying his mate, but the jostling she would get as he climbed them was sure to wake her. He gave a nod and smile to Mrs. Williams as she exited the elevator. She was an older badger and gave them a warm smile seeing how Judy was snuggled against him asleep. It was always a good feeling to know that there were mammals that weren't judgmental, and most of the residents of their building were even supportive. Mrs. Williams had even given them some booties and gloves for the kit once they were born.

Once at their apartment on the fourth floor, he had to shift her and was able to get the door open before she started to wake. Looking down at her sleepy eyes. "Hey Fluff. Good nap?"

Blinking back at him confused. "Nick?" Looking around and seeing where they were, her brain catching up. "Oh! I fell asleep in the car, didn't I."

Nick nodded, carrying her towards their bedroom. "You did."

Sighing into his shoulder. "Okay. Put me down."

Stopping in the hallway, halfway to their bedroom. "You sure Fluff?"

Giving a resigned sigh. "Yes. There are a few things I need to do before bed, and one of them is having an uncomfortable conversation with you."

Nick's ears flicked back, but only for a moment. "Okay. I'm here for you Judy."

Giving him a smile and kiss as he set her on her feet, keeping her paws on his chest. "I know you are. Let me get ready for bed, and then we'll talk, and don't worry. It's nothing you did. This one is all on me." Patting his chest before turning and heading for the bathroom.

"Okay Carrots. I'm going to make sure things are all closed up. You want anything?"

Stopping at the entrance to the bathroom, she looked back with a smile. "Just the usual water. Thank you Nick." Closing the door, not to keep Nick out, but keep the steam of the shower in, she removed her clothes, dropping them into the hamper, and started up the shower.

Judy looked at herself in the mirror for a few moments as the water warmed. She looked at her face, tired from a long day, yet still lean, same with her arms, legs and chest. She worked hard, despite her pregnancy, to stay in shape, with the doctors blessing, so long as she didn't strain herself. She was considered high-risk because of who the father way, or more to the point, what he was in relation to what she was. That was why they had so many doctors appointments, and why she was careful. The doctor had been very clear that he'd put her on bed-rest if she pushed it.

Looking at and stroking her belly, she felt at leas one of the kits shift slightly and smiled. "Hey there little ones. Your mom and dad are really looking forward to meeting you soon, along with both your grandma's, well one of them anyway, and lots of aunts and uncles. We're doing our best to make the world a better place for you, and sometimes that means we have to do a little work on ourselves. Like your mama has to do tomorrow." The shower now steaming, she adjusted the temperature and stepped in, letting the warm water flow over her and sink into her fur.

Yeah, a shower should calm the nerves.

So... You really doing it then? Telling Nick?

Yes. It's part of makes us work.

It is. Still scared though?

Yeah. Afraid he'll be disappointed.

Fair enough. I think he will be understanding though. He's told you what it's like in the guys locker room.

I sure hope so. New voice to argue with?

Yeah, but nah. We'll argue later. You've made the decision and you're comfortable with it, fear or not, so there is nothing to argue about.

Huh... That makes sense.

You do realize that you're just arguing with yourself to work things out, right?

Yeah, I know that. Still, the last voice was so... Ugh...

Yeah, well, that's a part of you too, one you're choosing to reject, so that's good, no?

It is. /sigh/ It is and it feels good too.

Good, now stop sulking, wash up, and go talk to your fox.

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Nick watched her go and heard the shower start. Shaking his head with a smile, he placed the bags from her shopping on the table, made sure the door was locked and the lights in the rest of the apartment were off; the bedroom light on for her to see. He didn't need the lights, but living with her, he'd learned to use them.

As he filled their cups with ice and water for the night, he wondered what it could be that she wanted to talk to him about. Something was clearly bothering her, not a lot, but he knew his bunny well enough to know when something was on her mind. He also knew that whatever it was that was bothering his bunny, despite the long day, if she was taking a shower, she was trying to get her thoughts about whatever it was in order. He was sure it wasn't anything too serious, but she was clearly bothered by it, so he was going to be there for her.

Setting the water on her night-stand, he moved around to his side putting his down, then sat on the bed. He thought about them, a rabbit and a fox, hopelessly in love. Chuckling as he stood back up and removed his clothes, dropping them into the bedroom hamper. He remembered the reaction of the doctor when they had their first visit after discovering she was pregnant. The older Ocelot was a specialist in inter-species mating and reproduction, but admitted that they were the most unusual couple he'd come across.

Sitting in his reading chair in the corner, a place he spent many late nights watching his wife sleep as his nocturnal nature kept him from resting, especially on nights where he didn't have to get up for work the next morning.

They had both needed blood drawn, they brought in a rabbit and a fox specialist to consult. All their appointments were free, so long as they let the doctors write a paper about them. They had agreed, so long as their names were kept out of it. If anything, Nick had mixed feelings about it, but in the end, it meant that Judy and their kits would have the best care possible. It helped that the doctors were all nothing but supportive of them and their relationship, and despite wanting to study them and the kits, showed that they actually cared about them too.

Turning his thoughts to Judy, Nick smiled wider as he listed to her humming something in the shower, probably one of Maria's newest songs. He understood why Judy was such a fan, as she had been there when Maria got her first chance. What had shocked him however, given that he wasn't a big fan of Maria's music as Gazelle, not that it was bad, just not his thing, was the revelation that she was also the lead singer for NightHowler, one of his favorite metal bands. He doubted that any Gazelle fan, other than Judy, knew this fact.

Again he wondered what it was that was bothering her, not that it matted. It was something he'd promised himself, after everything they had been through, they had no more secrets between them, excepting gifts. She knew all the things he'd done, everything he'd been through, and still loved him without reservation. After it all, baring it all with absolute terror in his heart that she would reject him with the unvarnished truth laid bare, she still chose him, and his heart swelled with love for her. Nick was pretty sure, glancing at the bathroom door again, that there was literally nothing she could do that he wouldn't back her on. Nothing she could ask of him that he would be able to find it in himself to refuse.

A few minutes later he heard the fur dryer kick on and he got up from his chair and walked to the bathroom. Standing in the doorway of the bathroom he watched her, ears not droopy, but down in thought. He knew her intimately at this point and knew the difference in how her ears lay. Just as there was no mask he could wear that she couldn't see through at this point, not that he wore one around her anymore. He actually didn't wear his masks much anymore as a general rule, except during interrogations, and he smiled thinking how good Judy had gotten at them herself. Hers were difference, but no less effective.

Nick stepped past her and turned the shower back on. "Hey Carrots. I'm going to shower real quick myself."

Judy shut down the fur dryer and smiled up at Nick. "Okay. Bring the brushes when you're done."

Nick leaned down and gave her a kiss before he climbed into the shower. "You got it, lover bun." He was done and out of the shower five minutes later, only wanting to rinse off the day. Using the fur-dryer quickly, since he hadn't let the water get all the way down through his thick insulating undercoat. He selected the brushes he would use on her and one for himself. He already knew how this was going to go, because it always went that way, but seeing his brush would be what she wanted.

Entering the bedroom, brushes in paw. "Hey Fluff. So what's eating you, cause it's clearly not me."

Rolling her eyes with a light blush, Judy laughed. "Only you could make that joke and not have me wanting to feed you your own muzzle."

Grinning and stepping over to the bed. "Oh lordy, I would hope so, Fluff. I am only your husband and mate as far as both rabbit and fox culture is concerned." Setting the brushes next to her and crawling onto the bed so he was sitting behind her; he hands her his brush, his tail landing in her lap as he begins to brush her back.

Judy grins with a giggle and gives his tail a few pets before starting to work with the brush. "You know, I'll never get all your tail done in this position."

"I know, you'll get to play with the rest of it later, and I will do my best not to get jealous of the attention you give it and not me. This is just to help relax so you will tell me what is bothering my bun. Is it something I can arrest? Beat up? Need me to go feral and eat something, or someone maybe? Call in a favor and have someone roughed up? Ruined? Iced? I mean, we are both on good terms with Stephano now. Now that the whole SBR situation has been cleared up."

Judy laughed, covering her muzzle. "You're so dark, Nick. No, nothing you can arrest, assault, or murder for me, and we are not asking Stephano for a favor again, ever! As you told me before, and I understand so much better now. I got lucky that taking down Dawn was in his interests, plus my friendship with Fru and being the godmother to little Judy; otherwise I'd have been compromised for the rest of my career. As it was, it was a near thing. You know how much reassuring I had to do to Bogo. You were there. We both laid it all out on the table to just him. Everything. If it wasn't for the agreement that keeps the peace in Zootopia, and that we didn't hide anything from Bogo. He made us make that call right there, he was silent, but..." Judy sighed. "After everything, I almost lost it all, again, because of that decision."

Picking up a different, soft bristled brush, Nick starts to work on her ears, smiling as she gasps and sighs. "Yes, I know all that, nor did I expect it to be anything I could beat up or arrest. I really wish you would stop beating yourself up about the past, and I hope this isn't you doing just that. Yes, it was a bad decision made in a moment of desperation. But if we hadn't, if we had brought Duke in, with the number of cops that were in Dawn's pocket. If he had even lived through the night and told us anything at all at the station, they would have had the lab moved and you would have been discredited. I'd have been the next one shot by Doug, and you damn well know it. He'd have done it so I was right next to you when I was hit. You know full well that is one of my nightmares. That the blueberry trick failed, that she had extra pellets, a spare gun of her own. Which she did I might add, she just didn't bring it. We don't need to re-hash all that my love. So please, Judy. What is it my honey bunny?"

Judy sighed herself, relaxing into his administrations. She heard him use her actual name and knew he was doing it to reassure her that he was there for her. No reservations. She could tell him that she had murdered someone, and he'd have her back. Her train of thought completely blown as he started nibbling on the base of her ears, while he brushed the length of the other one, his criminally good paws working their magic on her. "AH! You know... I can't... OH! Talk... uhm... Think... AH! When you do that!" Shaking her head to clear it. Looking back at him she gives him a glare, greeted by a knowing grin.

"Mmmhmm. Yes, I think I know that. You're also not flustered anymore."

"Oh, I'm flustered... Dumb Fox." Turning to face him fully, forcing him to back onto the bed to make room for her. Judy took his paws in hers and looked up into his Emerald eyes looking at her with nothing but love and acceptance. Nothing but complete trust. I could ask him to kill someone, and he'd ask me when I wanted it done, and would start planning it. She thought to herself. "Gods, I love you." Taking a deep breath. "Okay. So, there is a new waitress at Therus. Erin. I think you met her briefly."

"Yeah, and? Is she a speciesist or something?" Reaching for his phone. "I'll call Fin."

Judy put her paw over the one with his phone. "No Nick. It's not something she did. It's... It's something I did. It wasn't intentional, not really... even the second time. Still..." She looked away, clearly trying to find the words to continue.

Nick thought back to the previous day when he met up with Lizz and Judy. Wracking his brain for a moment. What could it be about the cougar waitress that had his bun so upset... with herself? It dawned on him suddenly what it might be.

"Judy... She was wearing a pretty short skirt."

Judy nodded and turned back to him, closing her eyes for a moment before looking into his eyes again. Still no judgment, nothing but love and she relaxed, just a little. "She was at that."

Sighing, with a smirk and shake of his head. "You got yourself a good eyeful, didn't you."

Judy nodded, the embarrassment flushing her cheeks and ears, which fell behind her head. "She was wearing shorts the first time, but it was still a nice view. They were biker shorts."

Nick had been working on her front, and when she confirmed his suspicions he nodded. Setting the brushes aside, he pulled her to him. "What happened the second time? Was she not wearing anything?"

"Panties... Very sheer, light blue, panties. I tried not to look, I really did. Then I was justifying it to myself that it is in my line of sight because of my height to hers." Shaking her head angrily at herself. "I don't want to be that mammal, Nick. I need to let her know, even if it means I don't go there when she is on shift. I just don't have the first clue how to start this conversation."

Hugging his bun to his chest. "Hmm... I'm guessing you don't want to just walk up, see if you've got another view, and then loudly say something like. Hey, Erin. You know, smaller mammals like me have quite the view. Probably best if you didn't go with the short skirts, or used shorts underneath.Or. Hey, Erin. Thanks for the great view. You're very sexy by the way, too bad I have a mate already."

"Oh gods! NO! NICK!"

"What, I'm suggesting you don't want to do that, am I right?"

"Well... Yeah. I guess I could do that. If I wanted to mortify the poor mammal, and probably get myself arrested for sexual harassment. If I'm lucky. She'd be legitimately justified in using me to punt a field goal if I did that. ... That said, that does kinda cover the gist of it. I need to let her know, as she is probably not aware, just not like that. Oh gods, not like that." Judy shook her head in dismay.

Nick laughed. "Come on my lover bun. You just pull her aside and let her know, but that doesn't strike me as the problem. So, what's the actual issue?"

Judy sighed and leaned into him, rubbing her face into his chest. "I really liked the view."

Chuckling, Nick stroked down her ears and back. "Oh... It's that issue. Okay, Judy. My poor, still innocent bunny, that I wouldn't trade for anything. I know you haven't told Maria that you have told me what happened between you to. It doesn't bother me. The gods know I get an unintentional eye-full in the locker room. Way too many of the guys just toss their towel over their shoulder, and most of their equipment is either at or slightly above my eye level, given I'm the smallest guy in the room. Even Snarlof, as short as he is, is tall enough to make the fact that he doesn't cover up, very awkward. You are just going to have to pull her aside and let her know, like I said. Apologize and give her a complement if she looked that good. She seemed pretty, so include a compliment if you think it's appropriate. That said, I think you are, as always, overthinking it a bit. I know you'll figure it out."

Leaning against him. "Thanks Nick. I kinda knew all that. Just needed to hear it from my sly fox."

"That's what I am here for." Kissing her between her ears. "Now. I need to finish brushing you. Enough with the stress and worry. I'll drop you off for breakfast, you'll talk to Erin when you see her, because as much as I want to be there to support you, we both know Joan is probably camping in the parking lot as we speak."

Laughing, Judy shifted so she was in a position he can continue brushing her. "That's the truth, and I'm not taking that bet, so don't."

"Harumph... Spoil my fun. Mean bunny." Swatting her butt with the back of the brush causing her to squeak and glare at him.

"Dirty old fox."

"That's me. Your dirty old fox." Kissing her shoulder and next, adding a few nibbles until she was moaning and gasping. "I will always be your dirty old fox."

Nick smiled, seeing that her ears were up again, and how she finally gave herself over to the simple pleasures of him brushing and grooming her. This was one of the things they had taken to doing once her condition prevented them from having sex. He enjoyed Judy in every way, and she was never one to turn down some oral pleasure. She enjoyed his tongue almost as much as his cock, and was very, very, adept as taking his length orally and otherwise. Yet he had found that he truly enjoyed grooming her like this.

He was also quite sure he would keep doing it, even after the kits were born and they could get back into their regular routine. There was something just as; if not more intimate and pleasurable about grooming her every inch of fur; as there was in making a meal of her until she couldn't breath and was a puddle of twitching, orgasmic bunny bliss. He had to admit, he also enjoyed it when she did the same to him. There was something about it. The surrender, the opening up of himself to her in order to receive pleasure. It was as cathartic as the many, many, sessions of revealing to her all the things he had done in his past. Just not wrought with emotional pain and turmoil, but simple, physical pleasure and intimacy with his mate.

Looking over his his bunny as he finished, making sure he hadn't missed a single spot, Nick noticed that she was sound asleep, laying on her side, and hugging the end of his tail. With a light chuckle, he set all but his own brush on the night stand, and carefully pried his brush from her grip. After some careful shifting of position, he gave himself a basic brushing while he watched her sigh and mumble in her sleep, nuzzling his tail. Once brushed out, he shifted again, pulling the covers over them as he wrapped himself around his bunny.

Nick kissed the top of her head and pulled her closer, nuzzling into her neck and shoulder, taking in a deep breath of her scent, causing her to smile and churr in her sleep. Whispering into her ear. "Good night, Judy. I love you." Turning his head towards his night-stand and speaking just loudly enough. "Alexa. Bedroom Lights off." The lights going out with a cheery bell tone, leaving just the blue canary night light in the outlet by the light switch to watch over them. Nicked snuggled down into the covers and around his bun, his muzzle between her ears, and a few moments later he joined her in the realm of dreams.

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Mike pulled the car into their car park and got out. Rushing around to the passenger side, he helped Lizz get out. "Think they got the elevator fixed?" He joked as they walked into the building.

Lizz laughed tiredly. "No. It's been more than a year. I think it is deliberate to chase off tenents to they can remodel and charge more. The area has improved a lot since we moved in."

Mike sighed with a nod. "It's moments like this where I wonder if the view is really worth it?" Looking up at the stairs that they would have to climb, then turning to Lizz. "I'm so sorry love. We could get a hotel?"

"No. No Hotel. I'm not waiting in the car while you run yourself ragged after working all day, just so I don't have to hike up these stairs. We both decided that the elevator wasn't a deal breaker when it broke.."

"That was before you got pregnant, love." Mike looked at Lizz and saw he'd already lost. "Okay. But we start the search for a new place tomorrow. For real this time."

"I can agree to that. I'll download that apartment search app they keep advertising. If needed, we can just ask Nick and Judy. I'll bet there are some open apartments where they live."

"That sounds like a plan. Maybe we should just do that? At last as a start. We'd be closer to our friends."

Lizz looked up at the stairs again. "We need to find a new place anyway, so we'll have to take things like this into consideration. I think they are looking too, or will be. Maybe we can coordinate our searches."

"For sure. Power in numbers."

Mike slipped under Lizz's arm as they began to make the slow climb up to their fifth floor apartment. She didn't put any weight on him on the first flight, other than to hold him to her, but by the third floor she was leaning on him, and by the time they reached their floor, he was almost carrying her.

Once they made it to their apartment, he led her to their bedroom, the hall light and the lights from the city streaming into the apartment providing more than enough light for both of them.

Lizz sat on the bed with a sigh. "My gods, my paws hurt! How can I survive twelve hour walking shifts without blinking, but today causes them to hurt so much." She looks up at Mike pleadingly.

Dropping to his knees, Mike immediately started to rub her hind-paws. "You've had a very long day. You're also carrying a lot of extra weight with those little monsters in there." Indicating her belly. "That weight, I might add, is not distributed the way our gear is, so..."

Sighing with a giggle as he tickled her pads with his rubbing, flexing her toes in his hand making him laugh. "Oh Mike." Reaching out and rubbing down the side of his muzzle. "What would I do without you?"

Switching paws, he continued to rub. "You'd do just fine. I'm the one that would be lost without you to keep me in check."

Leaning back and stretching, Lizz smiled tiredly at him. "Oh gods! Mike, that feels so good. Now, can I beg you to do my back? Just a little?"

Laughing, Mike stood and moved over to the bed as Lizz laid on her side. "Anything at all for you." Pressing his paws into her lower back and hips, grinning as she started to purr. "I take it that feels good."

Giving a breathy laugh, the sound vibrated by her purr. "You know it does. Your paws are magic and should be registered as weapons of pleasure."

"Oh, now I know you're exhausted. That joke was worthy of Tuskson or Snarloff."

"If you say so. Can you believe it?"

"What's that love?" Continuing to rub the tight and obviously sore muscles of her back.

"Vigilantes in Zootopia, and only a few years ago. A bit over a decade. I looked it up on the way home. There were a few of them over the years, but there was a huge spike after The Bunny Avenger and Crimson Gazelle started getting media coverage. Reading the stories, the ZPD and the government were scrambling. Plenty of them were totally on the wrong side of the law and got arrested, but quite a few figured out the citizen arrest rules, so they couldn't do much. Just citizens doing what they are allowed to do, who just happened to be running around in costumes. There were lots of proclamations about not supporting vigilantism, but they just didn't know what to do. Then several of them got killed, and not simple killed either. The stories didn't go into detail, but you can tell that it was gruesome. That finally got the politicians to get their tails in gear and update the laws. That shut them down."

"Sounds about right. Until people start dying or getting badly hurt, the political mammals are not going to do anything."

"Nope. To think, we had dinner with three of them. We work with two of them on a daily basis. We've had them at our backs, and never knew."

"I... That's just kinda insane."

"Nick and Judy..." Laughing through a sigh as he worked on a knot. "You know, Maria's mate was the one called Stripped Fury. So that means we had dinner with four former vigilantes. How insane is that?"

Mike shook his head. "Love, that's completely bonkers. Little Judy, not that it should surprise us at this point, but a vigilante? I mean, Nick? Gazelle was a vigilante before she got famous? It is so insane."

Yawning for several seconds. "It is." Stretching out for a moment. "Oh gods, thank you love. My back and paws feel so much better. I'll never trade you for anything."

Moving up to her shoulders, she smiled back at him. "Nor would I, you. I'm still amazed at where we had dinner. Who we had dinner with, and the fact that we are out now. We're not hiding anymore. We'll meet your mother tomorrow, then my family some time next week after we talk with Ed and Elli to help us avoid any obvious mistakes."

"You mean, other than keeping our relationship a secret for five years?"

"Yeah... Other than that."

Lizz gave a yawn and glanced back at Mike. "I think we are going to be okay. We have friends now. Thanks to Nick and Judy. Also thanks to them, most of those in the force have been removed or put on notice. It isn't always going to be easy, but we are not alone anymore."

"And that makes all the difference."

"It does. Still shocked by Delgato. I totally didn't get that vibe from him, not that it matters. Just surprised me."

Mike laughed. "Ok I've known he swung that way since the first time I partnered with him."

"Really?"

"Yeah, we were at lunch when one of Gazelle's... Maria's, tigers walked by handing out fliers for an upcoming concert, and he just couldn't help himself. The poor lion was completely transfixed. When I saw him looking I figured he was seeing some hottie, and he was, just not what I expected. We talked about it once we were back in the cruiser. He has a type, or he did. He was already with Jeff at that point, as I understand now, he never told me who his mate was, other than that he was. Though that didn't stop him from enjoying a, as he put it, nice hunk of meat. Gave him reason to get home sooner and enjoy his mate."

Lizz laughed lightly, slightly dozing. "That sounds like him."

Leaning down, Mike gave LIzz and kiss and nibble to her neck and shoulder, deepening her purr. He stood up with a grin, seeing her sleepy eyes. "You rest love. I'll go get the bags and make sure things are all locked up."

Blinking tiredly at him. "Thank you for the massage. You're too good to me. Now hurry up. I need my snuggle wolf. Today has been a long day. A good day, but a long one, and tomorrow is going to be another long one."

"As quick as I can be, love." Placing a quick kiss on her lips as she stretched out again on the bed. Mike turned and quickly walked from the apartment, then ran back down the stairs to their car.

Lizz sat up after he'd gone, got up, stripped out of her clothes with another huge yawn, marveling at just how tired she was. Prior to getting pregnant, the stairs really hadn't bothered her, even dragging her tail home after as sixteen hour shift with a SWAT raid added in. Yet, now, she couldn't even make it to the third floor without needing to rest, or at least lean on Mike. She thanked every and any god that would listen for that wolf as she slid under the covers and laid down, asleep long before Mike even made it half way to their car.

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Mike was gone just short of ten minutes, and only that long because he stopped to pick up their mail on the way back. When he returned, leaving the mail on the counter and bags waiting on the couch to be gone through another time, he found Lizz had curled up on their bed and was snoring softly. He locked up, turned off the hall light and pulled the curtains. He then headed to their on-suite. A quick shower and brush later, and he was standing at the foot of the bed smiling down at Lizz, watching her sleep bathed in moonlight from the bedroom window.

He stood there and watched her sleep for a long time, amazed that she was his mate, and carrying his cubs. He thought about how beautiful she was, as the light shift over her as she breathed. How strong she was, and how lucky he was that she had chosen him. Feeling the love for her swell in his chest.

Taking his time so as to not wake her, he carefully pulled the covers of the bed back so he could slip into them. Turning down the lights, leaving only the strange night-light that Judy and Nick and gotten them.

He glanced at the blue canary in the outlet by the light switch. Nick and Judy had been very adamant that it be used only in that outlet so that it could watch over them. He often wondered what meaning it might have, given the snickering the both of them had been unable to contain, but they had refused to divulge, and neither he nor Lizz had bothered to push. Slipping between the covers and over next to Lizz, he pulled the covers over them both, stretching out. Lizz rolled in her sleep, landing with an arm over him and head on his shoulder as a pillow.

Laughing silently, he placed a kiss on her lips causing her to smile and mumble something unintelligible in her sleep. He spoke softly with a smile. "You stay like that and my arm is going to be dead in the morning. Not that it wouldn't be worth it, mind you." Shifting around slightly until Lizz's head lay on his chest and shoulder, arm resting under he pillow, he curled towards her slightly and soon joined her in sleep.

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A/N \\\ Is there more to come? Yes... Yes there is. I'm editing away on this and my original works. Muse is even giving me some time to not just edit, but work on some original WIPs, finally! That's going to slow down updates here, but there is still plenty coming.

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.

If you are truly enjoying this, you can check out my original work by popping over to my blog, Scribblings. You can link to it here: dcballard dot com and then select Scribblings Blog.