Here is the 26th installment. Hope you enjoy.

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Girls Night Judy, Lizz, Joan, Carry, Maria, Elli, Jill, Bonnie, Jess, Skye

In the elevator: Judy, Lizz, Jill, Bonnie, Jess

Judy looking towards her mother as they road the elevator. "You sure Clair didn't want to come?"

Bonnie laughed. "No. She's a teenager. The hotel has WiFi, and she has her phone. Something I don't think you ever experienced my dear."

"I had a goal and a focus for my life, so I guess not. I'm so sad Cotton was sick. I was wondering why she wasn't here."

"Oh, not nearly as sad as she was. She has been you and Nick's number one advocate with the family. She adores that fox. But woe be to anyone that calls her Cottonball. That is reserved for Nick only. One of her same-age cousins called her that and she drop kicked him. I mean, literal drop kick. He's okay, but I promise you, no one will make that mistake again."

"Oh my. She's quite the fireball. I sure hope she is okay."

"Just a simple cold. She's as obstinate as you. It took a promise that we would make sure you both visited for a weekend soon to get her to stay. I expect she will be following in your footsteps"

Judy grinned. "I think we would like that, the visit I mean. I also suddenly had this rush of fear for her, thinking about her coming into this job, and with that an understanding of what you deal with." Turning to look behind her. "How about you Lizz? Come out to the farm, get some fresh air?"

Lizz smiled. "Well." Nodding to Bonnie. "If your mother would be willing to host a wolf and tigress for the weekend. I think that would be awesome. Though with both our due dates so close now."

Bonnie nodded. "Oh, for sure. Play it by ear. As for Cotton. Maybe we can talk her into being a lawyer."

Judy nodded. "Yeah, far less risk."

Lizz looked to Judy. "So, where exactly are we going?"

"Since the group grew so much, we're doing it at Maria's flat. You and I still need to schedule just a night for you and I to hang out."

Lizz looked at the numbers on the elevator. "I agree. It is different having honest to the gods, actual female friends. It's not something I have had before. It's nice. However... Judy, we just passed the 150th floor. The guys got off at 100. There is no way you can call where we are going, a Flat. You had to enter in a special code to get the elevator to move when you selected the floor."

Judy shrugged. "Sorry. I've been here so many times, I don't even think about that."

Jill shaking her head. "Gods, Judy. Next you're going to tell me this Maria is someone not just rich, but famous. I thought she was your college roommate."

Grinning wickedly at her sister, Judy chuckled. "Jill, you never paid attention when Maria visited. Maria very much was my roommate. She is also now very rich, and very famous."

At that moment they hit the 230th floor and the doors opened to a small foyer, with very large double doors opposite the elevator, and a pair of black furred wolf guards standing at attention on either side of the doors. Judy smiled even brighter as she led the group off the elevator. "Milo, Herald. How are you guys. Long time, no see."

They both smiled, the one of the left speaking. "Miss Judy. How nice to see you... Pregnant?"

"Thank you Milo. It has been so long, it's now Mrs. WildeHopps, and yes... Nick got the job done."

Both wolves smiled even brighter, Milo speaking again. "Oh my. That's wonderful. We are both so very happy for you." Herald nodding his head vigorously as Milo continued. "That also explains Maria's latest obsession."

Laughing, Judy nodded. "I believe that. Let me introduce to you my close friend and co-worker, mate of Michael Wolford, Lizz Fangmeyer."

Milo and Herald both bowed deeply, Milo speaking as they stood back up. "Lady Fangmeyer. It is a great honor. Forgive my impertinence, but I must know. Is it true that your cubs are Michael's?"

Lizz blushed. "They are. No need to bow."

"Oh, but there very much is. We are Nightwolf pack, and have had a pact with the Wolford pack since time immemorial. We act as the guards and protectors of Wolford pack. So you, Lady Fangmeyer, should we be so assigned, might we hope to be the protectors as such lovely lady."

"You two do realize that both Judy and I are ZPD officers?"

They both nodded, Milo continuing to speak. "We do milady. Our protection is not something you would ever see, this we promise."

Judy shook her head. "Don't worry boys. She'll be training under Nick and I, as will Mike, per Maria's decree, once we're no longer so burdened." Indicating her pregnant belly.

"Oh, that's wonderful. She will make a wonderful Alpha."

Lizz folded her ears back. "Thank you. I think."

Both wolves grinned. "It is a complement." Turning to Judy. "So who else have you brought? Are these your sisters?"

Judy grinned. "Milo. Always the flatterer. Well, two are. These are my sisters Jill and Jess, same litter, and my mother, Bonnie."

Herald went wide eyed and Milo smiled warmly, Milo speaking. "Your mother? I would have guessed twin."

Judy giggled as Bonnie blushed. "Milo, you charmer, you." Looking to Herald, Judy signed several things. "You on board with him, Herald?" He signed back and Judy laughed. "That's what I thought." Signing a few more things back and forth with Herald that she did not verbalize. "He's leaving you out to dry on your own, Milo."

Milo laughed and shook his head as they opened the doors for them. "Story of our lives."

The ladies entered the next room and stopped as they took in the view, the doors closing behind them. Only Judy was unaffected by the view across the massive room full of comfortable furniture, to a wall of windows that looked out across the city in all it's glory, shining in the early evening sun. To the left, a pair of hallways situated immediately to the left and then half way along the wall to the windows. A melodic voice coming from the doorway off to the immediate right, the room itself seeming to wrap around beyond view to the right.

"Hi everyone, come on in, make yourself comfortable."

Judy pipped up. "Maria! What are you doing?"

More giggling was the initial answer. "Making snacks and chasing Jarvis out."

Jarvis deep voice coming from the room. "Hardly chasing me out. Judy, save me from this insatiable gazelle!"

Judy laughed and walked towards the room the voices were coming from, the others following. "Jarvis, that sounds like a serious personal problem. I couldn't save you from her in college, I certainly can't save you from her now that you went and married her."

Entering what was clearly the kitchen, they see a tiger leaning back over a massive kitchen island, a gazelle laying over his chest seeming to try and kiss him while giggling. "Oh woe is me. I am then lost. For I must give in to the demands of this insatiable female." He then lurched forward, scooping her up into his arms with a screech from her as he kissed her passionately and set her on the counter where he had been leaning.

Maria slapped at his shoulder as she laughed. "You silly tiger. Get going, and don't gamble too much."

Giving her another kiss, he smiled at the collected mammals. "Ladies. Have a great evening. I am off. Though we're only a hundred floors below you. As to gambling, Nick and Jack are both supposed to be there tonight, so I make no promises."

Judy waved as he walked by. "Have a good time. Keep Nick out of trouble, will you?"

"There is no one capable of that, save you, my dear Judy."

With that Jarvis left with a chuckle, Maria sitting on the counter trying to cool herself down. "Gods, that tiger!"

Judy laughed, walking around the counter, only her ears visible due to it's height until she found the pull out steps, she then climbed up to the counter. Sitting carefully next to Maria. "So, I don't see much in the way of snacks set out. So was the snack you, and just meant for your tiger?"

"Of course. I ordered in. You know me."

"I do know you, and I know you cook just fine. Let yourself get distracted, did you?"

Putting her head down. "I did. All the fixings are in the fridge." Pointing.

Judy turned to the other mammals, Lizz just looking around in surprise, but not shock, the rest looking at who Judy was sitting next to in complete shock. "Okay!" Clapping her paws and shocking them out of their stupor. "Ladies. Lets do this. Lizz, fridge." Pointing. "Pull out the fixings. "Jill, Jess, Mom. There is a pull out platform next to the stairs. Pull that out so you can have the right height for the counter. Knives are in the drawer at the end, there. " Pointing again. "Maria, we'll take care of what you have here. Chips and such in the pantry?"

"Yeah. I'll get those." Maria replied and hopped off the counter.

Jess laughed. "You told me. You told me and I never believed you. I should know better than to think you'd make it up, but come on Jude. Your roommate was Gazelle before she was Gazelle! That's just too much."

Jill shook her head. "I'm done. Judy... The next thing you are going to tell me is that you were The Bunny Avenger and Gazelle was The Crimson Gazelle, and that gorgeous hunk of a tiger that just left was Stripped Fury."

Judy and Maria shared a look as Lizz laughed and set a pile of veggies, some sliced meats, and spreads on the counter. "Judy. There is simply no way it is going to stay a secret forever. What are you going to do when some reporter asks that question?"

Judy shrugged. "Run away, then call Nick and Maria, and maybe you for advice." Turning to Maria as she set a collection of chips on the counter along with several serving trays. "How's the new comic line and such coming? When can we expect to see some samples and sign off on the rights and compensation agreements?"

Maria grinned. "It's coming along well. The first five issues are planned, and we're doing as you and Nick suggested. We're getting up and coming artists to do submissions and will be picking two or three, than releasing versions of each issue by those artists. After those first five, we'll be doing arcs, and each arc will be under a different artists, with the most popular artists brought on for the main story arcs. We're also taking submissions from professional writers and from armatures. I was surprised by some of the truly original and well written stuff coming out of the indie author and fan-fic areas. Better and more original than most of the stuff coming from established, pro-authors and writers. We could really use The Fennec, he's the perfect anti-hero for the comic. As for the agreements, and story boards for your approvals, we can do that next week if you want."

Judy nodded, reaching back and snatching a cucumber slice. "That's awesome, I'll talk to Nick and text you. It should be really popular. Are we going to have to show up at ComicCon in costume? As for the Fennec, I'm sure Nick can talk Fin into letting us use him, as long as he gets a cut. It would really help him. He's the head chef of Therus and is looking to open his own place. I highly recommend his burritos."

Lizz laughed. "Judy, you have an obsession with those, but I won't say they are not good."

Maria smirked. "Maybe. Depends on when we get things finished up. As for the Fennec, if you guys can do that, it would be awesome. There's a really great story line we have for a fifteen issue run, but we can't do it without his character."

Judy sighed. "I'll check with Nick again. He seemed interested when asked the other morning. As for ComicCon, Nick and I expected that to be the response. However, we're only doing it if you and Jarvis do too."

"If you could actually get The Fennec, that would be awesome! Can you imagine the reaction of the five of us walking around ComicCon in costume? I warn you now though, there isn't a single writer that hasn't shipped BA and VV."

Jill was laughing lightly as she worked and listened. "VV, as in Vengeful Vulpine?" Seeing Judy nod. "Ha! And VV was Nick, right?" She froze when she saw Judy's smirk before she turned away trying to hide it. Jill dropped what she was doing and slammed her paws on the counter. "NO WAY! NO FUCKING WAY!"

Bonnie smacked Jill. "Jill! Language!"

"But, Mom! Do you not hear what they're saying. Judy was The Bunny Avenger! Nick was The Vengeful Vulpine! Maria and Jarvis were Crimson Gazelle and Stripped Fury! I'm related to real life, honest to the gods, vigilantes! I mean, that is a close to actual super hero's as you can get without super powers!"

"I'm aware of that. It's also something you need to keep to yourself." Looking up at Judy, Bonnie frowned. "I assume Nick being one as well was something you were going to tell me about at some point?"

Judy scrunched her head into her shoulders. "Uhm... Yeah, kinda didn't come up. We didn't even make the connection until we had been together for six months. I found a VV figurine when I was moving in and asked him about it. He just admitted to being VV off offhandedly. He was just, oh yeah, I was the Vengeful Vulpine, and shrugged as if it were nothing. I suppose the full fledged ROFL I did on him left him confused for a bit. When I recovered, I introduced myself." Judy straitened up and shifted her voice. "Vengeful Vulpine, I am The Bunny Avenger. A pleasure to make your acquaintance." Shifting back to her normal voice. "He stared at me blankly for a good minute, then pulled his own ROFL. I think it took us a full hour to recover. We'd get the laughing down to snickers, look at each other, and we'd be off again."

Maria laughed as she was pouring a bag of chips in a bowl. "Oh gods. That I believe. At least Jarvis and I knew from the start."

Judy gives her a dead pan look. "You were dating long before we took on those personas." Turning to Jill. "It was all an accident really. We were coming back from a costume party when that idiot decided to rob that store. We came up with the names on the fly. It just kinda happened, then it happened again. I blame Maria."

Bonnie chuckled. "As do I. I still don't understand where you learned to fight like that."

Judy pointed at Maria. "You can blame her for that too. Speaking of which. Have you given any more thought to opening a Dojo?"

Maria sighed. "I have, and I might. I am really not sure. Thing is, if I do that, I'd need to have masters to do the training, that are not me. Having me training mammals would get around. Though of course I'd have to be present for high-belt testing, but by then it wouldn't be an issue. And I don't have any other students, other than you, Judy, and now Lizz and Mike, via you and Nick."

Judy nodded. "Well, I'm going to propose a formal training program for the ZPD, once I make Lieutenant. I'm going to have belting levels, and officers will be restricted on how far they can train, depending on their job. SWAT will be able to train higher than beat cops. Same with undercover. Detectives can pick up a belt level, maybe two, once they get there. Still, I'll keep a lot of it under my own vest. I'm not looking to make the ZPD into a killer squad, but improved take down techniques, disabling methods, paw to paw combat for when your opponent has a weapons. That I can teach."

Maria nodded and hummed. "That might work. Then let truly dedicated students advance, if they are willing to dedicate themselves and show the right temperament. Perhaps by directing them to the dojo. You and Nick could act as masters, with higher ranked students doing most of the actual teaching and building them up to take over."

"Exactly." Judy looked up at Lizz. "Perhaps like Lizz. Though I don't know if Nick and I can add master duties at a Dojo, unless we only had classes a handful of days a week. Maybe 3 at most."

Maria nodded in thought, then smiled. "That might actually work. I'll work something up and shoot it over to you."

Bonnie walked around the island and looked up at Judy and Maria. "Hold up. Maria, are you saying that you taught Judy to fight?"

Maria shook her head. "Not exactly. She already had advanced skills. I just took her to the next level."

Judy laughed. "Next level? Is that what we're calling it now?"

"You were eager enough to learn."

Judy shrugged. "I'm not complaining. It has saved both Nick and my tails more than a few times. Though calling it the next level seems a bit shy of the truth."

The snacks were done and they moved into the great room, taking up comfortable seats. The rabbits taking part in everything, including the meat wraps, causing Maria to grin as she joined in. "So, Judy. Not the only meat eater in your family I see."

Bonnie nodded. "No, and it seems it's been a much longer standing thing than we thought. As is falling for predators."

"Is that so."

Judy nodded. "You saw that early research I was doing. Well, we got more confirmation of it today. We're going to have a large get together of families. Enough to hold a Great Pact. I want you and Jarvis to join."

Maria almost choked on her bite, swallowing hard. "Are you serious‽"

Judy nodded. "Yes. Multiple predator and pray species, all in one place, representing multiple families. We're even going to invite Lizz and Mike, and by extension both the Fangmeyer and Wolford families. If Mike's mom agrees, we'll have the Pack represented there."

Maria leaned back and sighed. "Judy. If you can pull that off... Do you understand the shock waves you would create? Do you understand the seismic shift of society that would create?"

"As you've said. True change does not come without a few bruises and scrapes."

Lizz shook her head. "Judy... A great pact? That means at least ten families."

"Yes, which is why we're going to focus on Inter-species families."

The doors opening, Elli, Joan, and Carry entering, Joan speaking. "What's this about Inter-species families?"

Lizz turned and smiled. "Hi! Elli, Joan, Carry! Good to see you again. Judy was just saying that they are trying to put together a huge family get together of Inter-species families." Turning to Judy. "Which I assume includes families from your siblings mates as well?" Seeing Judy nod. "How many species do you think you can get? How many families?"

Elli leaned over and gave Lizz a hug and a huge grin. "Hi sis! You and I need to get together tomorrow and go over a whole bunch of things. I have so much I need to teach you before Dinner on Tuesday."

Lizz nodded. "Why don't you come by tomorrow morning. I'll make breakfast, then we can hit the shopping excursion with Judy, and then we can go over more things after that?"

Elli nodded. "That sounds like a plan. So, Judy, what was this you were talking about again?"

Judy grinned. "A huge, multi-family get together. We are looking to hold it on the Hopps land. We already have the Wilde and Hopps families, a cougar, Erin, the waitress from Therus. Then there is Fin. Lizz, and Mike, if you are up to it." Pausing to glance at Lizz who nodded. "Maybe their extended families, and maybe even the Wolford pack."Looking to her sister Jess. "Unless I misunderstood Alex, his family would jump at the chance to make right what their ancestor broke."

Jess nodded. "We talked earlier. He said that his mothers response would be to immediately ask when and where so they can make plans to attend. I got the impression that if his mother learned that it would be a repair to the rift between the Hopps and Wilde families, that their ancestor helped create, would literally require it. He said something about a family law that they must seek, whenever possible, to smooth relations between foxes and rabbits, as well as between predators and prey in general. It's why he is going into public relations."

Maria started laughing out loud. "That's already enough right there for a major pact, even without the Wolford pack itself, and I know Mike's mother would jump at the chance. It is just the kind of Alpha she is. That does it. Joan, Elli, Carry? Would you join such a thing?"

Joan laughed. "I am joined by default if Nick does, and Mikel is by default if the Wolford pack joins."

Elli smiled. "Ed is Mike's brother, with both of them going, as well as another pack member, their mother is going to as well. She wouldn't leave them out in the cold. As for me... I'd have to reach out to my family. They aren't super happy with my choice of mate, but we still talk from time to time. I could at least get them to come, if not join such a pact."

Judy was grinning. "I'm pretty sure Erik and Jeff will join."

Maria stood up and shook her head with a smile, walking over to the bar. "Alright. That's quite enough of that. Ladies. This is supposed to be a night for silliness, not serious conversation." Grumbling. "Despite the fact that it always seems to go that way." Pulling a few printed move covers out of a folder and passing them around. "So... What do we want to watch first? I've got pre-release on several rom-com's, as well as a few action films, and plenty of adult content as well. Guaranteed to make you reach for your mate, or battery powered alternative. It pays to be rich sometimes. Wine will be served, except for the pregnant ladies. You two get juice."

The assembled mammals laughed and they picked a rom-com after a few minutes of debate after passing the printouts around. Something that was just starting to be advertised but was not due to be released for several weeks. As drinks were being passed out, Jess refused the wine, asking for juice.

Judy looked at Jess with a confused look. "Never known you to refuse a glass of wine, sis. And I can attest, this is some of the best around."

Jess blushed deeply. "No wine for me. Not for a while." Reaching into her purse, she held up a pregnancy test. "Alex and I have an appointment with Doctor Reddilis tomorrow to confirm, but I took ten tests, all positive. I just couldn't believe it."

Judy screeched and her grin easily reached her ears. "OH MY GODS! SIS! I'M SO HAPPY FOR YOU!" Dragging Jess to her and into a hug.

The rest of the assembled erupted in cheers and congratulations. Jill hugging her sister and Bonnie cried as she wrapped Jess into a hug of her own.

As things calmed down, Judy hugged her mom. "Mom, what's wrong? Why are you crying?"

Bonnie sniffed and wiped away a few tears. "I'm just so happy, and also realized just how close I was to missing out on both you and Jess's kits."

Joan leaned over and gave Jess a strong sniff. "The lucky mammal a weasel?"

Jess nodded. "Alex, my husband. We were going to be visiting Judy's specialist to see if it were possible tomorrow, now it's more of a confirmation that everything is going well. I was going to wait until we got back from the appointment, but I'm just so excited. We're trying to be realistic, but with Judy's kits being healthy, our hopes are high."

"Well, congratulations. We've got a rabbit and a fox, a tiger and a wolf, now a weasel and a rabbit." Joan turned to Judy. "Who is this specialist, and can I get their card?"

Judy smiled. "Doctor Agnela Reddilis. I'll text you her number." Pulling out her phone and doing just that."

Elli sat next to them. "I gotta say, I think I want to know this specialist too. Just having an appointment with her seems to be the magic bullet. Though I still doubt Ed and I can pull it off."

Judy laughed. "Not for a lack of trying I'm sure. And I'm sure there are plenty of orphan pups in the pack that need a home. We've also been looking at adoption, and I have seen a few deer that could sure use a home too." With a few clicks she forwards the information to Elli. "And sent."

Elli grinned. "We're already in the process of adopting two pups and a little water deer doe. The last of the paperwork for her was submitted last week and we should know Monday or Tuesday."

"That's wonderful, and I assume the Pups are through the pack?"

Elli nodded. "They are. They've stayed the night a few times in the last month, to get used to it. We're moving into a larger apartment, a place on the boarder of the rain forest district."

Judy laughed. "Upstairs four bedroom with a deck and shared outside space with the ground floor neighbors?"

Elli looked at Judy like she had grown a second head. "How can you know that?"

Lizz spoke up. "Jacob mentioned that the upstairs apartment was just rented out, to a pred/prey couple that were about to adopt some cubs. Nick and Judy are, unless I miss my guess, taking the corner ground floor unit, and Mike and I are taking the one next to it until Aunt Sasha moves out of the townhouse."

Elli blinked a few times. "No way. No Flipping way! That's amazing!"

Judy nodded. "For the price, the location, and that they are so inter-species, and family friendly. It is literally a no brainer."

Joan laughed. "Front corner. Two bedroom right by the entrance. Those are the very reasons Mikel and I moved in there. The community is awesome. It's nice to be able to come home to a place where there is no risk of getting nasty remarks thrown at you. Where if you run into someone and they see you're effected, they're actually supportive and give you some supportive words."

Lizz sighed sadly. "Yeah. Mike and I got hit with some of that. Then when we were doing the apartment hunt." A frown taking over Lizz's face. "Gods. Judy, we almost got taken in by that damn deer."

Judy mirrored Lizz's frown. "I know Lizz, but we didn't. Instead we took that scum down and saved a bunch of mammals. The reports I was seeing showed at least the last dozen were still alive and being tortured. I can only hope that they can recover some day. Given their losses."

Lizz frowned. "Judy, you should not be looking at those reports. Nor should I. We're too close. The only reason Bogo let us run that play was because we are known inter-species couples. Otherwise, he'd have locked us up to keep us safe, and you know it."

Judy nodded and sighed. "You're right."

A snow white vixen appeared from the kitchen, munching a sandwich. "She's right Judy. You both need to stay way, way, clear of that case."

Judy grinned. "Hello Skye, wasn't sure if you were going to make it. How is Jack doing? I just skimmed the high level reports. I know, just based on that, not to dig deeper. I'd end up wanting to rip his throat out.

Skye smiled warmly. "As well as can be expected for an emotionally stunted jack rabbit."

Judy laughed. "Jack is hardly emotionally stunted, he's just got an ego to rival Nick's, and sadly, like Nick, he can back it up. He also doesn't know how to react to you, because you two won't talk about your relationship."

"I suppose. Also, our relationship is purely professional. There's nothing to talk about." Judy rolling her eyes in Skye's direction.

Bonnie spun on Judy. "What's this now? Why in the world would you want to rip out someones throat?"

Lizz spoke up. "Just the arrests from yesterday. The huge bust that has been all over the news. We can't talk about it, and we're not even involved in the investigation. We were just the bait in the trap. One we set when we learned what was going on, the fact that we were the literal target of those evil bastards. That's all the more I can say."

Bonnie was almost yelling. "Judy! You were involved in that? What were you thinking?"

Judy held up a paw. "Mom. Slow down. We were armed, had radios, and lots and lots of backup. Our mates were with us to provide protection, Jeff and Eric were there. Additional backup was only a few moments away. What I was thinking was that there was a cult that was luring in Inter-species couples, especially those with kits or soon to have them. Those families would go dark to their friends, families, and jobs, and then disappear. It had been happening for years, and we..." Indicating Lizz and herself. "Got invites. If we hadn't gotten warning about what the place was like, we would have probably selected the place. The town homes were gorgeous and priced too good to be true, or ignore. Easy subway access. We couldn't just ignore it, and there was no one better situated to go in and confirm things."

Bonnie was subdued, Jill speaking up. "But you could have been hurt, sis."

Judy sighed tiredly. "I know that, Jill. Do you really think I don't?" Pulling her shirt off, she pointed to four claw scars on her upper and lower left arm. "Grizzly bear." Pushing the fur aside she pointed to a small round scar on her upper arm "Bullet from a gang banger. A bunny, I might add. He was fifteen. He's dead. Nick shot him before he could get another round off." She pointed to a strange ragged scar on her right shoulder. "Bite from a sheep. Crazy bugger had his teeth sharpened. Turns out Nick is a blood match for me, if he wasn't, I wouldn't be here right now. There are others, some you can't see. So yes. I know the risks. I know Lizz has far more scars then I do." Putting her shirt back on. "Hell, Nick has scars he got just because he is a fox and no other reason. Now he's got three stab wounds and four gun shot wounds, three of which he took for me. Shot and stabbyed protecting me. We've both had broken ribs and that's because we have invested in, at his insistence, body armor and weapons well beyond what the ZPD will pay for."

Bonnie looked down, tears in her eyes. "Oh Judy. Please never tell your father this."

Pulling her mom to her, Judy hugs her. "Mom. I didn't tell you this or show you these scars to scare you. I pointed these out to make the point that I do understand the risks, and that I have survived these things because of Nick, because of Lizz, because of the family that is the ZPD."

Lizz placed a paw on Bonnie's shoulder. "She's right. I'm a Siberian tiger. I'm one of the most well trained officers on the force, after Nick and Judy as I have recently learned. Yet, there are more times Nick and Judy have come to the rescue of myself and other officers than I can count. I can promise you this, when they call for backup, officers come running, just like they do for the rest of us. They are loved dearly by everyone in Precinct one. I can assure you, if anyone were to ever take one or both of them out, the city would be flipped upside down until we found who did it." Looking at Judy. "Though I'm surprised you aren't armed, Judy."

Judy gave a wry smirk, her accent slipping for just a moment. Who said I ain't?"

Lizz cocked her head. "What do you mean?"

Maria laughed, pulled one of her long daggers from her boot and thrust it at Judy's chest, pressing her back into the couch. "First there is the fact that her undershirt is armor."

Judy glared up at Maria. "Maria..." With quick movements that none of them really saw, Judy had slapped the blade away and upwards, causing it to spin out of Maria's hoof. Judy caught it and held it towards Maria. "It is stab resistant, not stab proof." Judy was still sitting on the couch, the assembled, save Skye and Maria, instinctively backed away. Maria just leaning back in her seat.

Maria smiled. "I'm glad to see that you are properly protecting yourself and your kits, and not letting your skills slip." Maria sat back down. "I note that your over shirt is also armor. That cannot have been cheap."

Judy huffed and laid the blade down on the table, giving the hilt a kick, causing it to flip up in the air towards Maria who caught it and sheathed it in her boot in a single motion. "It wasn't cheap in the slightest. After the third attack when we were off the clock, Nick and I replaced our entire wardrobe. Even that blasted green Pawiian shirt of his." Taking her purse from the table, she set it beside her. "And yes, I am armed." Holding up her purse. "My 7mm, tanq, and tazer, and still enough room for lipstick, badge, and my phone."

Lizz nodded. "Okay. That sounds more like you. But what are your clothes made of?"

"Can't tell you. But it ain't cheap and I can promise that as soon as the price comes down a bit, all ZPD uniforms will be made of the stuff."

Maria laughed. "It's..." Shutting up at Judy's glare. "Fine, keep your secret."

Bonnie sniffed and looked up at Judy. "So you protect yourself as much as you can."

"Of course mom. I told you that. And now I have even more reason to. I want to come home to Nick, and I want him to come home to me. Now we are going to have kits, we are going to want to come home to them. The last thing I want is for Lizz to have to show up at our door to tell one of us, or our kits, that mommy, daddy, or both won't be coming home. No, we love our jobs, and we know there are risks. We are also doing everything we can to mitigate them. The Armor cloth our uniforms and everyday cloths are made of. The fact that both Nick and I are licensed to carry at all times, even on vacation, we are actually required to keep our badges and weapons at hand. There are not many cops that have that requirement."

Lizz chuckled. "Mike and I are the same, actually. Though only after you and Nick ended up like that. Bogo decided to look into expanding that. It means I actually have to respond if I see something going down, while I call it in. Though we're far more careful. If I could get some clothes like yours I'd be far more comfortable." Looking over the assembled. "My purse is much like hers. I've got my 12mm with two extra mags, tranq with extra darts, etc... I don't carry knives like I know Judy does most of the time, because I am allowed, as a cop, to keep my claws sharpened."

Judy smiled. "This outfit. Shirt, undershirt, pants, panties, and leggings. Nice, comfortable, breathable. Five grand."

Jill choked on her drink and Jess gaped. Maria just shook her head. "Oh Judy, now I am just going to have to buy you more clothes. The stuff you and Nick are using is almost five years out of date."

Judy sighed with a hint of frustration in her voice. "Maria..."

"Nope, not taking no, and if you fight me about it, I'll just call your mom and Viv. Besides, it will be Viv that I have the cloth delivered to with instructions to make the cloths for you, Nick, Mike, and Lizz." Glancing over to Bonnie who nodded with a grin. "Then I'm thinking of maybe having new uniforms delivered for Precinct one. Just won't mention what they're made of."

Lizz gasped. "Maria, no! I cannot accept such a thing. The value is too much!"

Maria grinned wider, getting quite predatory with it. "What? That would require you to know the cost. The only cost you will know is the price Viv would charge you for the clothes, which I'm covering. As for the material, well... Since it won't have any cost to Viv associated with it."

"But!"

Judy shook her head. "You're not going to win this one Lizz, and since the material my clothes are made of doesn't actually exist, my valuation is based on expense to get my paws on it. What it really cost? No way to actually say. Besides, now that you are going to be training under Nick and I, you both need clothing that can withstand the training."

Jill shook her head, recovering from almost breathing her drink. "So Judy is armed to the teeth and wearing armor that looks like clothes. Maria, the Gazelle of stage, screen, and music goddess, was Judy's roommate in college, both of whom were vigilantes. I just... This is absolute insanity. I want to watch the movie now, just so I can forget the absolute insanity that all this implies. Jude. I love you, but you are one weird rabbit."

Judy chuckled darkly. "Thanks Jill. Means a lot coming from you."

Bonnie laughed. "Judy, dear. Despite the way Jill put it. You are a weird rabbit. I also wouldn't have it any other way. If you weren't you, just as you are now, we probably would have lost you a long time ago. We'd have never gotten to meet Nick, to get a chance to share the joy of motherhood with you. Or maybe you would have just been one more faceless rabbit in the warren, married off to some buck you met, or we fixed you up with. No. I'm so very glad you are who you are Judy. My weird little trier. We fear for you, because we know your job is dangerous, but I suppose you know that so much better than we do."

"Mom..."

"It's okay, dear. I'm glad I came tonight. It is good to know that you have friends like Lizz, and everyone else here, who care about you. Now, before we start the movie. You haven't really properly introduced your other friends."

Judy grinned. 'Sure. First, this is Joan. She is married to a wolf named Mikel Howel. The Howel's are minor members of the Wolford pack. Which is the largest and most powerful pack in Zootopia."

Joan offered a paw. "A pleasure to meet you, Bonnie. Judy is a force of nature and we are all better for knowing her."

Judy gave Joan a half lidded look. "Joan is a cousin of Nick's. Then we have Elli. She's married to one of Mike's brothers. Mike is Lizz's mate. They're both son's of the Wolford pack Alpha's. Lizz is going to marry Mike, soon. They've been mates for years, but have been hiding."

Elli blushed. "A pleasure to meet you."

Lizz laughed. "It's true. Nick and Judy were hiding their relationship too, but they found the better solution. Mike and I, as much as we hated to do it. Washed our scent off each other as much as possible, whereas Nick and Judy moved in together. The did this under the pretense of being roommates, so that the fact that they reeked of each other was never a question. When they marked each other, they just explained it away as having fallen asleep on the couch after a long day. We all bought it. A few of the wolves were suspicious, but since it was know that they already spent nearly every waking moment in each others company... Anyway. Nick and Judy held an intervention for Mike and I a few days ago, nearly a week now. Helped us come out to our boss and be out in general. Introducing us to other Inter couples, such as Maria and her mate Jarvis; Elli, Joan, and their wolves; and of course Carry and her coyote."

Bonnie smiled. "Oh, that's wonderful. I'm sure that is a lot less stress on you."

"It truly is. I cannot describe how much better I feel to not be washing the scent of my mate off out of fear. Felines are not as scent driven as wolves, but damn it... I knew that it hurt him every day that I didn't smell like him. No matter how much we got used to it, I could see it in his eyes. Now. When he left for work the first time reeking of me, and I him, the grin on his face was worth every snide and hateful comment we may get."

Judy nodded with a grin. "It really is. Nick is the same. The first time we went to work smelling of each other, it didn't matter the story we were giving everyone. He knew, and that alone made him happy on some deep, instinctive level."

Lizz smiled with a nod. "It really does. Must be a canine thing." Joan and Elli nodding.

Joan sighed as Skye shook her head slowly, almost sadly. "It's true. Skye can back me up on this too. For us canines, scent is a bit part of our world. Marking our mates, it is so very important. Mike probably marked you as soon as you got home every night."

Liss chuckled. "Yes he did. Said it was to reassure himself since he could only barely smell himself on my during the day. Though we have now gotten to have the fun experience of anti-inter-species hate pointed our way. We also got the experience of someone supporting us that we barely knew. It'll take time to get used to. I know Nick and Judy, as well as Joan, Elli, Maria, Carry, and others, will help us through it. We thought we were all alone and were so scared. Thanks to Nick and Judy, we're not afraid anymore."

Jess grinned. "Judy was the very reason I accepted Alex's ask for a date. Judy was why I was willing to give him the time of day, and I have never regretted it."

Maria laughed. "Judy was instrumental in Jarvis asking me out."

Judy smiled with a sigh. "I don't know what it is, but there are times, especially after a long day. Nick will go out of his way to put a smile on my face. He will cook even if it is my turn. He'll put on one of my movies, which he absolutely hates by the way, just because it makes me happy."

Lizz laughed lightly. "Mike is the same. Though we're not great cooks. He'll go out of his way and even cross districts if I mentioned I was craving something. I know his back hurts just as much as mine, his paws ache just as much as mine after a foot patrol. Yet I'm the one with my paws up getting a massage. Always says I can do him after."

Judy nods. "Yet it never happens, because then he chases you into the bath while he cooks or orders take out."

Elli laughed. "Gods. Ed is the say way. Always making sure I'm happy, or at least doing something stupid to put a smile on my muzzle." Joan nodding along with a grin.

Maria shook her head. Jarvis worked so hard to get my attention, not that he needed to. Then once he had me. I swear, I could ask him to do anything, and he would do it."

Bonnie grinned, and glanced at her daughters. "Sounds so much like Stu. It may not seem like it at the farm, girls. But your father is always finding little things to do. Just tiny little things that leave a smile on my muzzle every day. Even manages to do it while he's out it he fields. I'll come into our apartment and find a chocolate on my nightstand, or a pie from Gideon when Gid hadn't stopped by."

Jess laughed. "I've seen Gid stop on the edge of the farm and chat with dad many times. Probably when he obtained the pie. Also, Alex is the same. Always finding little things to put a smile on my face."

Jill shook her head. "My gods. The way you talk about how your mates treat you. I swear, the bucks I have been dating are going to have to up their game."

Judy turned to Jill. "Oh? Do tell. Pawsy. Expecting you to put out just because they bought dinner, which, as they're the one that asked you out, is kinda expected."

"Oh gods, Jude. Don't get me started!"

"Oh please, Jill. Do you realize how many dates I got set up on? I know just what you are going through, only worse. All of you just kept throwing bucks at me like mud at a wall and hoping something would stick. I refused to settle or give in. No buck deserves to get his dick wet, condom or not, just because he bought dinner and a movie. He's got no right to put his paws on your body or expect anything from you accept, maybe, a good night kiss, on the cheek, if he was a better than average date. How many of them cannot even hold up their side of a conversation for more than five minutes without delving into some macho nonsense? I get it, you like sports. I don't hate sports, but a detailed discussion on the merits of some obscure rule in pro sport X or Y is just... I mean, if that's your thing as a doe, fine. It wasn't mine, and a buck should bother to at least try to converse with you, not at you."

Jill growled. "Not a one. It's like they feel their entitled to something. Like their the gods gift to does, and we should just feel damn lucky they gave us the time of day."

Bonnnie looked stricken. "Oh gods. Girls, please tell me your brothers are not like that."

Jill smiled. "No worries there mom. Any Hopps buck that behaves like that suffers dearly. We haven't had to throw some learning on a Hopps buck since..." Looking at Judy and Jess. 'Was it Trent?"

Judy nodded. "That was the last one I was a part of. Was the last time I visited, unless he screwed up again."

Jess shook her head. "No. Trent is doing quite well. His current relationship is pretty serious and he might even be close to proposing."

Bonnie nodded. "Rachel is a very lovely doe and seems to really enjoy visiting burrow. She's really good in the kitchen too. I've told him that she would make a really good mother."

Jess smiled. "I may need to remind him to not wait too long to propose. As far as misbehaving Hopps bucks. Gilbert was the last one I was part of. That was about six months ago. He's just now stopped flinching, but from what his last date said, he was a complete gentle mammal. Kept up a conversation the entire time at dinner, and never once let his paws wonder lower than her shoulder, no ears, no tail, etc..."

Judy nodded. "Good. He might find himself worthy of a does affection yet."

Bonnie looked between her daughters, eyes wide. "Hang on one second. You're telling me that if your brothers get out of line on a date and you find out about it, they get beaten up?"

Jill grinned wickedly. "Oh no. We don't hurt them, but they do go through a process of... re-education, mock dates, etc... Before we let them take any doe out for a second date, or a date period. We will not let any Hopps buck be that buck. Why do you think there are so few teenage pregnancies in the warren, mom? Sure, your sex positive, pro-education position is a big factor, but us Hopps does have taken it upon ourselves to make sure that a doe on a date has a buddy to call, and the bucks know better than to get themselves in trouble.

It's also the reason the does our brothers marry want to start their families with us and become Hopps, rather than the buck going to them. It is well known that the Hopps does demand more, and that Hopps bucks are worth getting to know."

Jess nodded and laughed. "Jill, you're not going to get very far with most bucks in Bunnyborrow at this point. I just don't get what the other families are teaching their kits. I can put you in contact with a few from Podunk that have been raised like our brothers, to actually respect and appreciate a doe."

Jill smiled. "At this point, I'll take it."

Judy smiled wickedly. "Before I joined the force. If a buck ever got out of line with a Hopps doe, well... It became known that pressuring a Hopps doe, that crossing that line with one of us, would get me sent out to have a conversation with them."

Bonnie chuckled darkly. "So that's why bucks are so prompt in bringing their does back, calling when things prevent it, and why we haven't had an incident in years. I'm assuming that now that Judy is a cop, you girls have continued to use her as a threat."

Jill nodded. "Yes, and yet, still... The younger bucks seem fine, the teenagers and the twenty somethings, but bucks my age seem so nice at first, but that never lasts. I don't know what the other families are teaching their kits, but they just seem to feel so entitled. The only reason I haven't been really pressured is because I remind them that I'm a Hopps doe, that Judy is only a phone call away. That stops most of them. The brave, or stupid. Well, Judy taught us all a few tricks before she moved to the city."

Maria nodded. "I hate to break it to you, but that's the way most males are."

Carry laughed. "That's the truth. It's a male thing, not a species thing."

Judy smiled. "Back to introductions. This is Carry, she's married to Bill, a coyote."

Maria spoke up. "Yeah, and one of the wealthiest mammals in Zootopia."

Carry smiled and offered a paw. "It is true. Bill and I have Judy and Nick to thank for our lives and our freedom. Sadly, the rules she lives under as an Officer mean we cannot thank her properly."

Shaking her head, Judy chuckles. "The rules exist for a reason, and while I know you and Bill would never try and call in a favor, etc... Some might, and therefore the rules. Besides you have thanked us many times over. I mean, we can walk into Greetha's at any time and we get a table. Since they don't publish prices and such, there is no way to quantify that value."

"The literal least we could do. If you ever retire..."

Shaking her head, Judy smiled. "Yeah. I know. Lastly, the lovely arctic vixen that just appeared is Skye. She's married to a jack rabbit buck named Jack."

Skye huffed. "I'm not married to him. We're friends and partners."

Judy smiled sardonically at Skye. "Yeah, Skye. And Nick and I are just acquaintances. You two are hiding harder than Lizz and Mike ever were, and everyone can see right through you. Besides, I was at your wedding. I was the matron of honor, if memory serves."

Skye gave Judy a hard look. "Judy. It's not like that. We can't, even if we wanted to. There are rules. The whole wedding was for a mission. We explained that to you."

"Uh huh... As I've told you many times, Skye. Nick is a registered officiant. The paperwork was filed, under seal, with the city, because of your jobs. But you just don't want to hear it. I'll note that you always smell like each other because you moved in together, right? I have been in your apartment, Skye. The second bedroom is an office. There is only one bed." Judy turned back to the group ignoring Skye's look. "So... Movie?"

Bonnie nodded. "Yeah, I think a movie is well past due. Before another heavy subject crops up."

Lizz snuggled into her chair with a grin, holding a pillow to her chest. "Well. I have never really been part of a girls night, or a shop-scursion like we did the other day. That said, I always thought that a girls night like this was to have fun, but also help each other deal with the crap going on in our lives. To complain about our mates if we need to, etc... At least that is what I always heard. I never got invited to any."

Maria grinned as she hit play on the movie, a large screen dropping down from the ceiling. "That's part of it. Though usually that part happens later, when those of us that can drink, have had enough to loosen our tongues. Not that this group has ever had much issue with that."

Judy reached up and grabbed another chicken and cream cheese roll with a few crackers. "This group has helped me work through many an issue Nick and I were having. It's always been freeing to be able to just bring up an issue and talk through it. It always boiled down to what you always told us mom. Communication."

Bonnie nodded with a smile. "That's the truth though. If you aren't talking, especially being different species and from such different backgrounds. I can only imagine the strange and frustrating issues and arguments you might have."

"Misunderstandings are an easy thing to happen and easy to tear apart the relationship. Nick and I almost broke up a few times early on because of such things. In only one case was it even a big thing, but we loved each other even then to talk it out and come to an understanding. It isn't always easy." Looking pointedly at Jess. "But if you truly love your mate, they're worth swallowing your pride for a few minutes to talk through things."

Jess nodded. "Understood, sis. Alex and I have been through a few spats, and as you said, far too many times, it was just a stupid, minor misunderstanding caused by cultural differences."

With that, their attention turned to the first of several movies they watched that night, ending with an adult film that had them all rolling in laughter at the absurdity of it. Terrible dialog, absurd positions that none of them could quite figure out how it could possibly feel good, and seemingly impossible acts of flexibility. Several of them gasping for breath and rushing to the bathroom to keep from peeing themselves.

As the night progressed, Pizza's were delivered and devoured. Drinks flowed to those that could have them, and the conversation stayed on the light side. The deepest it got was Lizz and Judy complaining about the normally mundane and boring day on the beat. How the worst you usually got was a speeder or a parking ticket, and the absolute grief that got thrown at you for it."

Later that evening, well after sunset as the adult film neared it's end, Judy sat up straight suddenly. Surprise and shock on her face. Jess noticed first. "Judy, what's the matter?"

Holding up a finger. "One sec." Judy was suddenly collecting her things and headed for the door as fast as she could. "Guys, I have to go. Maria, please make sure my Mom and Sisters get to their hotel safely."

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A/N Did I do that? Did I really cut it off right there? Yes... Yes I did.

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.