Here is the 23rd 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

As a side note. I want to thank all the readers out there. This story has broken 4k hits on AO3, and 6200 on FF, as of this posting. That's just amazing. Thank you.

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

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The first apartment complex was as suggested, small, and only just barely enough. While nice, and an acceptable school district, it just wasn't worth it. The reality was, it was enough, only if they ignored about half their requirements. Worse, the subway, while not overly far, but it was the wrong line, so they would have to transfer twice getting to work, or use their cars. Given that, they moved on to the first of the two that sat on the Rain Forrest border.

They walked up to the large brick building. It wasn't ugly, but it wasn't the most esthetically pleasing to the eye, either. What little landscaping there was, was well tended and attractive. It was really just an apartment block, and if the website was telling the truth, had a private play area on the back side of the building. Walking up, Nick found the call box and buzzed the manager. An antelope answered a few minutes later, coming out of the closest apartment. He looked over the group as he opened the door. "Can I help you mammals?"

Nick piped up. "Hi, Nick Wilde and party. We have an appointment with..." Checking his notes in the folder. "Greggory. To view a few apartments."

Looking over the mammals assembled again, then down at the Nick. "Sorry. Everything's already been rented."

Frowning, Nick glanced at his notes. "I verified last night and we have an appointment for now."

"Well. You made your appointment, and you are here. Now you can leave. I know about you, and I'd barely call you mammals. Disgusting perverts. Mentally deranged, if you ask me. Be gone with you or I'll call the cops."

The antelope took a surprised step back as Judy let out a very predatory and very not rabbit like growl. "We are the cops you speciesist jerk." Holding up the carrot pen. "All four of us are officers, and your little tirade will be turned over to the housing authority. Considering that this complex is owned by a management company." Turning to Nick. "Think ZNN might be more interested? I'm sure they'd just love that publicity."

Mike grinning as he sniffed a few times. "Oh, that's just too good to pass up." With that, he gave a very odd howling bark. It was short, and not overly loud, but it caused half a dozen wolves to stick their heads out of their windows. All looking down towards where they stood on the sidewalk.

A few moments later, a middle aged she-wolf stepped up behind the antelope. "What's going on here Greg?"

Not even looking back, he responded with a sneer. "Nothing you need worry about Gretta. Just telling these deviants that their kind ain't welcome here."

Looking over to Mike and Lizz, then down at Nick and Judy. "You're telling me that the hero's that stopped the Night Howler conspiracy, and a dozen other major city saving events, along with the eldest son of the Wolford pack Alpha, are not welcome here? Because, why? Considering they are all ZPD officers?"

"Surely you can smell it on them. Their perversion?"

Gretta gave Greggory a dark look. "The only think I'm smelling is a bigot who I will be reporting to the management company along with my lease termination. I expect many others will be following suit. You can also be assured that we will be letting the company know that this complex will be blackballed as far as the Wolford pack is concerned, so long as you continue running it and they continue such bigoted policies." Looking past him towards Nick, Judy, Mike, and Lizz. "I'm sorry about that. You deserve much better treatment. I hope your hunt goes well, and congratulations to all of you."

Mike smiled back at Gretta. "Thank you Gretta Wolvesbane. You honor us." Giving a small bow, which the others mirror.

Waving a paw in their direction. "Oh please. I've wanted an excuse to give this ass a word or two for years. Be that as it may, I do hope you will let your mother know."

"Of course. I will, and I know my mate will remind me at family dinner to bring it up as well."

"More than acceptable." With that she turned and strode away, leaving Greggory in a state of shock.

Looking up at the antelope, Nick shook his head, then turned to the others. "This seems to be getting more and more common. "Bigots like him." Pointing over his shoulder with a thumb, think they have the backing of people and find out that they in fact don't. Let's go ahead and head over to the next place."

With agreement, they got back in the car for the forty minute drive in morning traffic towards the next complex. There they find themselves in much more familiar territory, being closer to down town as well as still being on the edge of Savanna and Rain Forest. The subway station, which was directly across the street from the complex, was the line that would deliver them directly to the precinct.

The building itself was much nicer, with a nice roof overhang, faux support columns, and just a generally nicer building. Walking up, they entered the tastefully decorated entrance and lobby, again buzzing the managers apartment. The voice from the small speaker gruff and tired sounding. "What ya want?"

"Nick Wilde and party. To view some apartments."

"Y'all is early."

"Sorry about that. Only thirty minutes, and the last place was less than desirable."

"Huh. Alright, well. I wasn't ready yet, so you'll need to give me a minute."

"No problem sir."

Ten minutes later an older lynx with a lot of gray on his muzzle walked out of the door into the complex. Looking them over he smiled. "Well, how do you do. Four cops? Heh! I sure hope you like the place, cause having y'all living here will surely keep some of the less desirables out."

"We hope we like it as well." Nick smiled. "There isn't a lot of places that have what we are looking for, and your complex covers just about all of the boxes."

"Given y'all be adding young ones to the mix soon, I imagine so. We're pretty popular with the family types because we have four bedroom units. The places I got to show you were recently upgraded and renovated after several long term families moved out, their young ones all moving off to their own lives. The parents wanting to downsize."

Lizz grinned. "Oh, that sounds wonderful."

Looking up at Lizz. "Well, the places are designed mostly for medium to small. Like these two or your mate." Indicating Nick and Judy. "But I might be convinced to make a few adjustments if you decide to go with us."

Lizz smiles. "You don't have an issue with us?"

The manager smiled up at her. "Not in the slightest, and I promise you won't have any issues with anyone that lives here either."

Nick smiles. "Lead the way then. Lets see what you have."

The entire complex was a rectangle with the front doors of the apartments facing inward. The entrance and lobby in the left corner of the short length when facing the complex. The far, short wall faced the Rain Forrest district.

Leading the way through the door of the lobby into the complex, he points out a few things as he introduces himself. "I'm Jacob, by the way. I own this place." Pointing to the roof. "As you can see, we have a covering that prevents the rain from getting into the interior here, while still making it open air. Also makes sure that the pool is usable no matter what the weather is like. We like to do a community barbecue every so often and that make sure we can do it whatever the weather. We're just close enough to the climate wall that we get a few days of snow every year around the holidays. The young ones love it, and we've got a fenced off play area with camera coverage. They love to make snow mammals, and there is enough room for some good snowball wars.

As for the other residents. We have a mix of prey and predators here, and we all get along pretty well. All of us knowin each other for as long as we have. Even got a few inter-species couples and their youngins here. Though nothing quite as unique as you lot. There are seventy five apartments total, along with five larger units. The apartments are all three or four bedrooms, with a handful of two bed units here by the entrance. The larger units are more like five bedroom town houses.

You'll notice that the upstairs units are a bit lower than you'd expect. That's cause the ground floor units are actually slightly lower than the level we're on now. That gives a feel of being underground without actually being so, which a lot of mammals seem ta like. We also have fully underground units. You'll notice the railing going around, which keeps ya from falling into the lower walk way. There are lots of breaks so you're never more than a few doors from your apartment once you get down there.

What I have to show ya is three different apartments. Two ground floor units and one underground unit. I also have one town house that will be comin available in a few months, once the lease is up and I get a chance to get it upgraded. Old Betty and her sister are moving into a small two bedroom closer to her grandkits.

You can see the townhouses there at the end, and it's the one farthest to the right that I'll be showin ya. The ground floor units have a little yard in the back. It's not much, but enough that most have a small garden, a barbecue, and those with kits have a play set or small swing set. The underground units don't have that.

Underground units all have two secondary exist for safety, and light tube sky-lights for natural lighting. The ground floor and town houses have their small back yard and there is a gate that opens to a path that clears the building. Upstairs units all have a patio that gives shade to the ground floor yard, and has an emergency stair that drop down to provide exit via that back gate. So, if you do take a ground floor unit, there is a small area that you have to keep clear for safety, but it's right next to the gate. It's got a little fence, so it's easy to do. Townhouses have the same thing from the front and rear balconies."

Judy smiled widely. "Well, that sounds awesome all around. Really safe."

"That's the idea. We have a lot of families here with young ones." Jacob paused for a moment. "I lost my family to a fire because they didn't have a proper way to get out away from the fire. I promised if I ever owned a place, I'd never leave another family in such a position. So when I bought this place, I spent a lot making this place safe, and friendly to families. Now, if you'll follow me down this way, I'll show you the underground unit."

The underground unit, along with the two ground floor units were clearly freshly renovated. They had all new appliances, and were surprisingly bright, the ground floor units have a number of the light-pipe sky-lights as well. The appliances were so new they still had the protective film on them. New shower stalls and brand new high efficiency fur dryers in the bathrooms, engineered hardwood throughout, and quartz counters in both the bathrooms and kitchen. They all had master bedrooms with on-suites, as well as a shared bathroom for the other bedrooms and a washroom for guests. The underground was a three bedroom two and a half bath, the ground floor were both four bed two and a half bath.

After seeing those units, they walked up to the townhouse, which was situated next to the two ground floor units. The ground floor units being the one in the corner and next to that along the long wall of the building, sharing the corner with the townhouse.

Knocking on the door Jacob waited, giving them all a wink as the door was ripped open, revealing a very irate, and very old, snow leopard. Her clear age suggesting that were her fur not naturally white and gray, it would be, even her spots fading to lighter grays. "What?!"

Laughing, Jacob smiled up at the very old snow leopard holding open the door. "Howdy Sasha. How you doing. Can't be bothered to answer the door in a more welcomin manner?"

Glaring down at Jacob she snorted. "For the likes of you. No."

Nick looked on in shock. "No fucking way!"

Judy looked over at him confused by his outburst. "Nick? This isn't another, you know everyone situation, is it?"

Stepping forward, Nick looked up at Sasha. "Not exactly. Fluff. Aunt Sasha?"

Looking down at the fox addressing her and blinking a few times. "Nicholas?" Taking a deep wiff of him. "Whoa! Nicholas, is that you under all that rabbit?"

Grinning like a fool, Nick nodded. "It is. That's my mate you're smelling, auntie. This is where you ended up? That must mean Betty is Aunt Betty."

"Sure is. What the heck you doing here, kit?"

Pulling Judy up next to him. "My mate and partner in the ZPD, and I are looking for a new place as we will be adding to our family soon. Before you ask, they are mine Auntie."

Sasha looked down at the rabbit. "Hold up. That's... You're Judy Hopps‽ That means. Nicky?" Tears forming in her eyes. "You're the fox I see on the news with her that always looked so familiar. You look so much like your grandpa." Looking to Judy again. "And you. Your grandfather isn't Harlan is it?"

Judy cocked her head to the side. "I'm sorry. How can you possibly know that?"

Grinning widely. "Oh my gods. Come in. You must be the mammals that Jacob was going to be showing the place. Well, you need to at least stay until Betty gets back or she'll be convinced I finally lost it."

The group followed her into the house, Judy pulling out her phone and dialing her mother.

Bonnie answering on the third ring. "Hey Bun bun, what's up?"

"Mom. Would a snow leopard by the name of Sasha mean anything to you?"

Bonnie dropped the pan she was holding to put in the dish washer, the noise causing Judy to flinch. "Yeah. It just might."

"Would this have anything to do with how you knew the name of Nick's grandparents?"

"It would. Where did you learn that name?"

"I'm sitting in her living room, she is making tea, and talking about pulling out a large photo album."

Bonnie struggled to contain her shock. "Listen carefully, Judy. Pull Nick close enough to hear."

Grabbing Nick, she pulled him over and he leaned in to listen. "Hey Bonnie."

"Okay kits. Listen. I just learned this from Pop-pop the other day. It seems that he was gong to surrender the farm to his younger brother and run off with a snow leopard named Sasha. Only his brother died so Pop-pop had to keep the farm. He was friends with your grandparents, Nick. I've seen a photo. Pop-pop even had a traditional collar set made up."

Judy and Nick both looked over at the smallish snow leopard, who was shorter than Nick due to her age, but would have been only just slightly taller in her youth. "Bonnie." Nick spoke, his voice strained with shock. "We'll confirm a few things and call you back."

"Pop-pop was reminiscing that they fell out of contact and wishes he could know how her life went."

"Okay mom. Pop-pop's coming when you come for a visit, right? If not, he should. I think there is a reunion in order."

"I fully agree, dear. I'll let you get back to that confirmation."

Nick looked up at Sasha from his position next to Judy on the couch. "Auntie. Do you have pictures that show you and my grandparents. I'd love to show Judy those."

"Sure do. Though they might have a surprise for her in them as well. Let me just get this album down." Mike jumped up and pulled it down for her, then seeing how heavy it was, carried it to the coffee table. "Thank you." She said, looking at Lizz. "He's a keeper."

Nodding, Lizz smiled. "That I know. That I know."

Mike set the large album down on the coffee table, flipped open the cover and then took his seat next to Lizz. Sasha watched this and smiled. "You are such wonderful pairs. I can sense just how much love you have for each other. It is a beautiful thing. Something I haven't seen in a long time. You have a love between you that rivals that of your parents and grandparents, Nicky."

Sasha reached out and flipped a few pages through the album, coming to a stop with a wistful smile. She pointed to a photo. "Look there, Nicky. There's your grandparents. They were such a wonderful couple. So much love, just like I see between you and Judy." Flipping a few more pages. "Ah, there we are all together." She stroked the photo reverently and looked up at Judy. "I don't know if it is really my place, but I promise you this. I loved Harlan just as much as you clearly love Nicky. He said we were going to run away. Then his little brother took ill. We visited him, but the towns people were less than happy about a bunch of predators in town, let alone seeking out the head of one of the oldest warrens. He hid us for days, finally getting us out on a midnight train. He paid the conductor I don't know how much to stop right on the edge of your lands. Does the railway still go through the edge of your property?"

Judy nodded. "It does. It is right on the edge. We have about an acer on the far side that we never do anything with. It's always held as a buffer. I explored over there. There were a bunch of old buildings and such. From my readings and research when I was a kit, we used to have our own train stop, before trucks and refrigeration became more cost effective."

"That's right. Harlan was a good mammal. I miss him. I know he got married, and I'll admit to being severely jealous of your grandmother at first. I don't hold any ill will towards her, just as I am sure Harlan never held any against either of my husbands. We both had our families and got on with our lives. Lives we had to live because the world wasn't ready to let us lead the lives we wanted."

Judy pulled her phone back out dialing her mother. Bonnie answering on the first ring. "What's up?"

"Mom. You need to make sure he comes with you. We'll handle things on this end."

"You got it Bun bun. See you in a few days."

Sasha looks at Judy curiously. "What was that about deary?"

"Well... Just making sure someone will attend the visit when my parents come to town in a few days."

Nick grinned. "Yes. A little get together that you and Aunt Betty need to attend. My mom will be there, and I know she would just flip to see you again. You know she has a shop in the mall now."

Lizz piped in. "She's amazing. She set me up with several dresses that I can use in my current condition, and will be making me some afterwards. I was never one for dresses, and yet she makes me want to wear them. This is one of them."

Turning to Nick, Sasha smiled. "Oh. Yes, I think we will."

They spent the next hour going through the album, leaving Nick and Judy with large smiles on their faces. As Mike was putting away the album, another, slightly younger, if only barely, snow leopard walked him.

"Sasha, why they hell does this place smell like Fox, Rabbit, Tiger, and Wolf?" Stopping and looking over the group of mammals seated on the couch, Mike at the book case. "Okay, that's why. Now, what are y'all doing in my house?"

Nick stood up with a grin. "Auntie Betty! Approaching the snow leopard. "It is so good to see you."

She blinked at the fox approaching her and pulling her into a hug. "Who the?" Taking a deep sniff. "Whoa, fox. You reek of rabbit. What's up with that, and why are you hugging me?"

Sasha laughs at her sister. "It's Nicky you dolt! The rabbit you're smelling is his mate. Better yet. She's one of Harlan's grandkits!"

Blinking several times, Betty bends down and takes another whiff of Nick. "Could it be?" Looking over at Judy. "Wait. You're Judy Hopps." Looking at Nick. "Then you're the fox. The first fox in the ZPD."

"Yes, Aunt Betty. That fox you see on the news is me, and my mate is Judy. Who happens to be the grandkit of Harlan Hopps."

"What are you doing here?"

"We were here looking at the available apartments and this townhouse, as it is apparently coming on the market soon." Stepping back to Judy. "Both Judy and I, and our friends, are going to be adding to our families soon. Our current apartments are just not up to the task."

"Oh. Look at that. Well, congratulations. I'm so proud of you, Nicky. Willing to raise some other mammal's kits. I always knew you were a good kit."

Sighing, Nick shook his head, Judy speaking up. "Actually. While we will be adopting, these kits are 100% Nick and me."

Betty blinked. "How is that possible?"

Grinning, Judy nodded and snuggled against Nick while pointing to Lizz and Mike. "The odds were against us, but just like with Lizz and Mike, we beat those odds."

Betty sat down heavily. "Hold up. You're saying that the pregnant Tiger got knocked up by the wolf? This is just too much. I can almost get the Tiger and Wolf, but a bunny and fox? You're Predator and Prey. I..."

Nick smiled and leaned forward. "Auntie. I'm not going to tell you that there haven't been struggles. Culturally, biologically, instinctual, and everything else. Just as I'm sure Mike and Lizz would attest to for themselves. But we have learned to communicate, to read each other and recognize when the other is not quite getting why we're behaving in a given way. We have had long talks about each others cultures and what they expected from mates, we discussed my winter related problem."

Judy piping up. "I don't really consider that much of a problem. I mean, that is when this happened." Rubbing her belly.

Nick managed to blush causing everyone else to chuckle. "Thanks, Fluff. If you did, that would result in some very uncomfortable months in our relationship."

"Well, you put up with my random cycles, so I'd say we're even. Though..." Winking to the older ladies. "When things match up, we have to take time off."

Betty blushed and Sasha laughed. "Oh good lords, you are so much like your grandfather."

Judy laughed lightly. "I've been told that before. Never really understood it. Though from what I'm hearing through the warren-net, there have been some huge changes."

Nick nodded. "Yeah, you mentioned something about that last night. What was that again?"

Shaking her head and shrugging, Judy looked up. "Yeah. They, as in Mom, Dad, and Pop-pop, held a dinner with some of the rabbits in the family that have an inter-species mate, along with Gideon. Pop-pop admitted to being the way he was in order to insulate the family from the more violent opinions of the town in general." Looking towards Sasha. "Specifically after he helped you get out."

Sasha gasped. "Wait! You're telling me Harlan is still alive‽"

Nick rubbed the back of his head. "Yeah, and wields a mean cane. Came after me with a vengeance the first time I visited the warren. Now that I think about it though, as soon as he got done with that, he walked away. Almost as if it were just for show. I'll have to ask him about it."

Tearing up, Sasha pulled the large sapphire pendant out and clutched it a moment, suppressing a sob, her voice watery. "Judy, dear. Do you recognize this?" Holding out the pendant.

"I had better, or I'd be disowned. That's a Hopps family sapphire pendant. More to the point." Getting up and examining it closer. "This is the only one not accounted for."

"Oh, it's accounted for, and I have never taken it off save to clean it since Harlan gave it to me that night we left. He said that it was his promise to me, that even if we grew apart, if we lost contact, which we did, even as the world deemed it that we could not be together. That so long as I had this, we would never forget each other."

Judy smiled up at Sasha. "I have never seen him without it's mate. I had to do inventory as a kit, as a punishment. I admit, I did backtalk a bit too much, but mom was really going to town on me about wanting to be a cop. I reported it, but now that I think about it. Pop-pop intercepted it. Promised to deliver it, and I was already in trouble. I wasn't going to get in the wrong side of him too. He must have marked it accounted for before turning in the report, because when I checked, there wasn't anything listed as missing. I didn't learn the significance of the pair until later."

Sasha grinned. "Sounds like Harlan. He was always a crafty rabbit. Markus, your grandfather, Nick. He always used to say that Harlan had to have been a fox in a former life."

"I've said that about Judy many times. We've been through hell and back together. We trust each other more deeply than we have rights to, and it is from that our relationship spawned."

Sasha clapped her paws. "Well. I will be needing to exchange numbers with the two of you. Betty too I think. You make sure you tell your mom. Now, what about you guys taking this townhouse?"

Judy and Nick nodded, Nick speaking. "We're almost convinced, but there is one more place to check. Though for the moment, this place has some pluses I wasn't expecting. When are you going to be moving out Aunties?"

Betty folder her arms. "We're not. Well, not like that. We're moving into one of the ground floor units on the south side. Just a little two bedroom unit. This place is just gotten to big for us.."

Lizz pipped up. "Well, I liked the ground floor units, but other then actually getting a tour of this one and finding something I don't like. I'm just about sold on this townhouse."

Judy nodded, nudging Nick. "Nick and I are the same with the closer of the two ground units. It's more than big enough. Our only real concern is pricing, and seeing what that other place has to offer."

Jacob laughed. "Oh, don't you worry about that. My prices are more than reasonable. Plus, having cops living here would really make the other tenants feel more secure. Especially you two. I do my best to keep the security up. Still, having you living here would be a boon and I think I can get that to reflect in the price."

Mike leaned forward as he spoke. "As much as we appreciate that, we cannot take any special treatment."

Jacob waved that off. "Don't you worry about that none. I know the ins and outs and while I haven't had to tap into it. I'm more than willing to use the cities off-set system to make up the difference. That way y'all can pay less, if you choose to live here, without needing to worry about the regs."

The four of them shared a look and gave a collective nod, to Sasha's gasp. "No way! All four of you!"

Nick laughed with a grin. "Yes auntie. Just like the stories you used to tell when you kit sat me about grandma and grandpa.."

Grinning even wider, Sasha sighed. "Then you are all truly meant to be. Well, Jacob, why don't you give them the rest of the tour and then we can see them on their way to this last place. Where is it exactly."

Nick nodded as the others got up and headed for the stairs. "It's a little place in the crux of the rain-forest, meadowlands, and tundra town.

Jacob froze. "Tell me, please, that the place isn't Throughkelt Heights."

"Uhm, yeah. Why?"

The frown that took over Jacobs face devolved quickly into an outright hateful scowl. "If you are going there, be sure you are armed and have backup. Even as cops, that won't stop them. That area is welcoming on the surface, but it is populated by those that would seek to kill all four of you, given the chance. I'm going to tell you this now. DO NOT go there unless you are armed and have backup. More importantly. DO NOT get a place there. Please."

Lizz, Judy, Mike, and Nick freeze and look at each other.

M: I'm not getting anything false from him. If anything, he's afraid, for us.

N: I'm getting the same. Judy?

J: His heart rate spiked like you'd expect in a panic reaction. If we go there, I think we need to take him at his word.

M: Love?

L: No, I'm with you. I think we need to do some quick research and perhaps arrange a quick sting. I'll call Bogo. Mike, you call Henry over in hate crimes. Nick, I think you need to follow up with your contact.

N: I agree. Something suddenly doesn't feel right. The, too good to be true, feeling I got suddenly has some very dark undertones.

Nick turned to Jacob. "Thank you Jacob. We will be sure to be safe. Can you tell me more?"

Jacob nodded. Let me finish this tour, and then I'll tell you what I know in full."

"Okay. I need to make a quick call anyway."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Nick stepped outside onto the back patio of the townhouse, pulling out his phone with Judy following him. Dialing the number he waited. Picking up on the fourth ring, no one answered. "Ghel, this is Nick. We need to talk."

A single tone sounded for a three count, like someone had bumped the keypad and then hung up. Nick scowled at his phone, then glanced at Judy. "That's really bad. That was Ghel telling me not to come, that he cannot guarantee our safety."

"Well, that sounds like all the more reason we need to do it, with backup in place."

Nick's frown deepened. "Judy... I don't think."

Judy frowned in response. "Nick. We are in no better position to do this now then we could otherwise be. We look, with Mike and Lizz, ripe for the pickings if what I'm picking up from Jacob is anything. We need to go in and blow this to hell. My instincts are screaming that there is something wrong with that place."

"Okay. I just..." Nick signed deeply. "Mine are too.

Judy leaned against him and reached up to scratch an ear. "I know love. I know. We're not going in ourselves, and we are going to have backup in place. Lots of backup."

Sighing, Nick nodded. "Okay. Doesn't mean I have to like it."

They waited on the patio until the others joined. Just as they were walking out, Nick's phone rang, he motioned quiet and answered. "Go for Wilde. ... Ghel, my mammal, how's it going. Sorry about calling earlier, we're going to be running a bit late. Ran into an old acquaintance and needed to catch up. Oh, no. We still want to visit, just won't be until later this afternoon then expected, if that's alright. You know I have your back. ... ... I understand completely and I promise on my tail. ... You got it. I'll text you. We are really looking forward to seeing these places you told me about. They seem great. ... Got it. See you later."

Turning to the group with a deep frown. "Ghel really tried to talk me out of this. This smells so bad. So, where are we with everything else?

Mike's own frown bordered on a scowl. "I've called in a few favors. This community is apparently very insular. You don't get in, yet they keep inviting inter-species couples in. They take the places, then cut off contact with family, friends, jobs, supposedly taking jobs in that community, and then vanish. Nothing specifically suspicious, save that it's always inter-species couples, especially those with or soon to be having kits. With that, I called my mom and she got back to me just a moment ago. It's some kind of purity cult. She's done some digging because apparently Ed and Elli got an invite to check out the same places we did, but turned it down. Not a lot of information gets out of there though."

Judy growled, causing Sasha to chuckle darkly. "Just like your grandfather."

Lizz shook her head. "Ha! I've watched that rabbit turn an enraged tiger into a mewling kit. She's gotten where she is for a reason. Anyway. I haven't called Adrian yet, but I think we need to. Let's step inside and I'll put us on speaker."

A few moment's later, Lizz's phone is on the coffee table, with fresh tea passed out. "Elizabeth, this better be important."

"I believe it is sir. As you are likely aware, Mike and I, along with Nick and Judy were going apartment hunting today, given Judy and My conditions."

"Okay. How is that important enough to call my personal cellphone?"

"The last place we were going to check is a small community called Throughkelt Heights." They all heard Bogo's snort, which to the cops that know him, meant he knew something. "The manager at the place we stopped before we headed to Throughkelt Heights warned us in very stark terms about the location. Further digging by myself and Mike have revealed that his warnings might not have been grave enough. Following that, Nick's contact that got us the invite has been trying to subtly warn him off from visiting. Everything points to an insular cult or group that lures in unsuspecting inter-species couples and then vanishes them."

"Okay. This may be worth calling. What is it you want?"

"We're going to want to swing by the station, arm and mic up, and get some backup."

"All of you?"

"It would be suspicious otherwise, and given our condition, Judy and I, along with Nick and Mike, appear to be their target demographic." The snort along with the fact that he was still talking to them told all four cops that Bogo knew or suspected something. "Considering that the previous couples have never been heard from again, but because they slowly close themselves off from family, then jobs, then just poof. There hasn't really been anything suspicious enough, and the area is very insular."

"And only the fact that you're all cops and happen to get this warning from the manager of the previous place and Nick's contact. I see. I suddenly have a feeling that some extra community policing patrols might be needed in that area. Do what you need. Wilde, Wolford. Reports on my desk first thing."

In unison. "Yes sir!"

With that Bogo hung up and they looked at each other. Nick grunting. "Okay. He clearly knows or suspects something, if not, we'd not have gotten anything but an earful. Lets get moving. We've got a lot to get done and organize and not a lot of time to do it. I'm going to make a few more calls and get us some different backup, should be need it. Carrots, you keep your spare weapon in the armory still?"

"Yes, and I have my hold out on my now."

Giving Judy a kiss between her ears. "That's my rabbit."

Saying goodbye to his aunties, they shake hands with Jacob and let him know they'll get back to him in a day or two, after they get done with what they were about to do. He wishes them luck before heading back to his office, saying that he'll hold the two ground level units for them for a week.

Forty five minutes later, they were in the precinct armory getting geared up as a dozen officers enter looking for them.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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.

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: and then select Scribblings Blog.