A Friendly Hustle

by Blkdragon7

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

40. Chapter 40

Here is the 40th 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 ( Direct: dcballard (remove the spaces) because the forwarding is misbehaving.)

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

You should really be checking out my bestest bud, and co-author in some original works that are pending, Bear678, and his story What Foxes May Come.

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

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Dinner. Location: A large, if typical and non-descript residence built for larger mammals and located in a small gated community of the Meadowlands, close to the freeway that leads directly through the City Center.

When Ben was finally relieved, he was still shaking his head every so often at what had transpired earlier that night. His relief walked up to him behind the desk. "Hey, Ben, you ready to get out of here? I'm going to hate it when you get into shape and don't need those longer lunches." The Jackal that was relieving him giving a warm smile that faded as he saw the look on Ben's face. "Hey, Ben? You okay buddy?"

Ben looked up with a small start. "Oh! Hey Joe. Sorry, just lost in thought about what happened a few hours ago, right there." Pointing to the middle of the atrium.

His brow furrowing in concern, Joe frowned. "What happened? What did I miss?"

"Thrillis, Rast, and Root were all arrested as part of the ant-inter-species hate group that WildeHopps has been investigating."

Joe's ears fell and his tail froze. "No way. Really? What happened with Ket?"

"Administrative leave while they make sure he wasn't involved with his partner. He was so upset as he handed over his devices to have tech go through them. Nick actually gave him a good pep-talk though."

"As in the fox?"

"Yeah, have you met him yet?"

"Can't say I have, though I still find it surprising that they hired a fox at all. But then, they hired a bunny too."

Ben frowned. "You know Nick and Judy are married now, right? You don't have an issue with them, do you?"

Joe put up his paws in defense and shook his head. "No! No! Don't take it the wrong way. I don't care who finds love with whom, as long as it's consensual and I don't have to send out a unit for a domestic disturbance. That said, I'm not going to say I get it. A predatory and prey, together, like that. A Fox and a bunny even more so. In the ancient past they would have been mortal enemies. I don't get it, but it ain't for me to get. No judgments here."

Ben nodded, his smile returning. "Okay. You should get to know them though, because they are some of the best mammals I have ever met, and Judy is carrying Nick's kits. Half bunny, half fox. I just know they are going to be the cutest things in existence." Ben's eyes went wide. "But do NOT let Judy hear you call her cute. I got the third degree, and she likes me."

"Whoa, really? They could crossbreed? That's amazing."

Ben grinned. "Oh, and Mike Wolford and Lizz Fangmeyer are having cubs together too. I can't wait until the wedding. They're already mated but kept it hidden until WildeHopps confronted them. Don't know what happened, but it seems to have been good for both couples."

"That's cool, but I know you want to get home. The video of today still in the system?"

Ben nodded. "Yep. Tech already has a copy. It's something, watching a fox take down a polar bear. I got nothing to turn over. No pending calls, no alarms, nice quiet night, so far." Rapping his knuckles on the police shield behind the desk. "May it stay that way for you."

Joe rapped his own knuckles on the shield with a smile. "Have a good night, Ben." Pulling over the other seat and getting comfortable, logged in, and pulling up the tapes of the atrium. A loud "Holy Crap!" echoed in the empty atrium as Ben walked away.

Ben made his way back into the station, punched out and then headed quickly for his car. He was always late for dinner, but his loves didn't fault him for it. Not when he was finally starting to make progress on his health. Besides, they had two guests tonight and it would be starting later anyway.

Thirty minutes later, Ben pulled into the small Meadowlands community he lived in with the dual loves of his life, a grin on his face as he pulled into his parking spot at their home. He felt so lucky they allowed him into their lives.

It had been a shock when they met in person the first time, after chatting with them both for months on a dating app. They met in a secluded corner of a restaurant, and he was convinced he was being pranked at first. But no. It was real, and between them both, his live was truly complete.

Ben was also glad for who the guests were tonight, as there were few mammals that knew of their relationship, and the two that were visiting were amongst those. That meant he didn't have to play the roommate role, or worse, wait until he got a text to come home. He understood completely why they had to keep things quiet, outside of a few very close friends. Considering who his loves were, his spouses, and his non-private relationship with them, secrecy was paramount. He knew that. Still, those times he had to pretend to not be with them hurt, no matter how much he understood the need.

Hopping out of his car with a skip in his step, he quickly made his way inside through the side door, greeted by the warm voices of his loves and friends.

The large polar bear sitting on the couch growled as Ben closed the door. "Gods. I cannot believe how many seemingly good officers are complete scum!"

The Black bear sitting next to her nodded. "I know. I wish there was a way to weed this mentality out more easily." Looking up and seeing Ben enter. "Hey Ben! Good to see you. What a mess, eh?"

Ben nodded and sat on the other, larger, couch between the other two mammals in the room, facing the polar and black bears. "It is, but with WildeHopps and Wofeyer on the case, I'm sure they'll clean things up."

The polar bear looked at Ben Confused. "Wolfeyer?"

Ben grinned widely. "Yes, Mike Wolford and Lizz Fangmeyer are also together and are having cubs, just like Nick and Judy are. Oh, I can't wait until they're born. I just know they're going to be lethally cute!"

The large male on Ben's left chuckled. "What Ben is saying is that Officers Wolford and Fangmeyer have been in a relationship for many years, and while I was aware of it, they were so worried about being found out they almost lived off musk mask. Conversely, Officers Hopps and Wilde moved in together openly, under the guise of roommates. Thus, as everyone knows fox musk is stronger than most, that they smelled like each other never made anyone flinch."

The polar bear chuckled, as did the black bear, the polar bear speaking. "Oh, that's priceless. I always knew there was something weird about that rabbit. I mean, we have had dozens of foxes and rabbits since those two, and yet very few seem to have any real idea what they are getting into. Even with the modified expectations for smaller mammals, physically, they still can't cut it. We had to completely scrap using those two as a baseline, because there is nothing normal about either of them. But then, you would know, wouldn't you Adrian." Giving the cape buffalo sitting across from her, next to Ben, a hard look.

Shaking his head, Adrian nodded with a wry smile. "I so very much do. I tried to punish them, because they're small, by forcing them into the sparring ring with Grizolli. I mean, he was special forces for crying out loud! But no..." A mix of frustration and humor leaking into his voice. "Wilde started taking bets outside the ring, so I swapped them, and Hopps took up the mantle of taking the bets! When Wilde knocked Grizolli out cold in a matter of moments, I put them both in with Jameson and Haarld. Both also rated advanced in their paw to paw. Wilde and Hopps, I didn't know they were married at that point, but they actually played rock, paper, scissors over who was going to fight which. Wilde won the pick, and after turning to their respective opponents, dropped them both in unison. Like it was bloody choreographed!"

The polar bear, Ursula shook her head. "Adrian... Didn't you know at that time that they were both former vigilantes, and both had done well for themselves as such?"

"I did, and yet I simply disregarded that. They were… are, small. I didn't pay attention to their paw to paw scores, because I was still blinded by their size. That was until I really started to pay attention. They kept having to call for another car, such as McHorn or Trunkaby, or a megafauna paddy wagon, to pick up their collars, because they cannot handle mega-fauna in their cruiser. Yet... Those two medium to small officers regularly take down mega-fauna. They're not afraid of an elephant or a rhino. If anything, they take it as a gods be damn challenge."

Ben giggled. "Actually, that is exactly what it was. There was a bet going on, before they earned the respect of the other officers. The bet was that they would never be able to bring in anything larger than another rabbit or fox, so they made it a point in bringing in the biggest criminals they could. They were literally giddy when I told them about the reports of the rhino robbery crew. They loaded up with heavy tranq darts and headed out."

Adrian groaned. "Yeah, and then they had to call in three megafauna paddy wagons to cart away the group, and they bagged three weasels, a fox, and a ferret along with them. Major crime group, busted by our two smallest officers, inside a single shift. You have to take notice when rhinos complain about police brutality because the little bitty bunny hits like a wolf or a tiger. That and the, quote, damn pelt fox won't shut up, and hits just as hard or harder than the rabbit."

Ursula laughed. "Yeah, she is anything but normal. You know what I found in her locker during an inspection?"

Adrian groaned. "I've got a pretty good idea."

"Jerky. Actual meat, and protein bars. She didn't even try to claim someone was playing a prank. No… Insteady, she angrily grabbed a piece and took a bite of the jerky, then chewed and swallowed. I swear her roommates thought she was going to explode."

Patricia, the buffalo on Ben's right, chuckled. "According to what Ben tells me, she eats meat quite a bit. Enough that when offered some jerky, she ate it happily. Isn't that right, Kitten."

Ben nodded. "That's right. Nick asked me if I had any of the Jerky he had given me as a better snack. Took a chunk and waved it in front of Judy's face. I was about to protest that he shouldn't do that to prey, before she snatched it from him and ate it. Actually groaning in pleasure. She's definitely not a normal bunny."

Hector laughed. "Oh, that is not news to anyone here at this point. So, Patricia, what did you fix for dinner?"

Patricia grinned. "I figured, since we were going to have predators over for dinner. Adrian and I will have some large wraps, and with two more predators than my sweet Kitten." Kissing Ben on the head. "I'd make his favorite. Spicy chicken and fettuccine in a tomato and basil sauce."

Ben squealed. "Patty, you didn't! I haven't done anything to deserve such a meal."

Patricia smiled and kissed the top of Ben's head again. "You deserve it just by being you, and by doing so good on your diet and workout routines. We've noticed, Kitten. I'm still only going to serve you the smaller portion."

Smiling brightly, Ben nodded and reached to, giving her a kiss on the side of her muzzle. Adrian smiled as she watched affection between the two. "No, that's okay. Maybe I can get some for lunch then?" Looking up at her hopefully.

"I'm sure that can be arranged." Patricia smiled down on Ben, then looking over the rest of the mammals. "Shall we eat?"

Adrian grinned and ruffled the fur between Ben's ears. "Come on Ben. I know you're hungry."

Ben nodded, but looked thoughtful. "I am, and yet not like I used to be. So the smaller portion is best, so I don't get used to the big portions again."

Ursula stood and walked past as they entered the dining room. "Well, I'm glad you are doing so well, Ben. I remember when you were a fresh officer. You still hold the record for fastest sprint."

Ben puffed out his chest. "I was fast, wasn't I?" Then deflated. "Well, I used to be." He sat again between the buffalo on the opposite side of the table to the two bears.

Adrian reached over and caressed Ben's cheek. "You're the best dispatcher in the country, bar none. You know the city better than anyone. You could even give Nick a run for his money, and it is spooky how well that fox knows the city. Even if you get all the way back to like you were in the Academy, Patricia and I will not love you any less, and I'd never take you off dispatch unless you asked me to. I know you feel like you make a bigger difference there, and I agree. Besides, if you get back to that, it just means we get to enjoy you longer. Right?"

Ben grinned and blushed. "That's right. It's one of the reasons I'm working so hard. After that last doctors visit... That's why I asked Judy to help me. She had offered so many times, and I do love my doughnuts, but I'm learning they're so much better as one now and then as a treat, instead of several boxes as a meal. I figured if any mammal knew how to help me, it would be Judy. I guess I just needed to be ready."

Patricia smiled as she set the food on the table. "Well, it seems to be working. Have you talked to her recently?"

"We chat every so often by text. She's doing her best not to go crazy while stuck at home on maternity leave. We talk about how I am doing with the work outs. She has made a few changes, making me work a bit harder week by week, but it is good, because it is never more than I can handle. That was always the problem before. I'd be expected, or expected myself to push too hard with little to no obvious reward, and I would get disheartened. With Judy's plan, it focuses on smaller goals that I can see, and see myself reaching. Then I get there and the next goal isn't so far. One more sit up. Ten more meters. Then ten more the next week. And she is always cheerleading for me. It makes it easier."

Ursula smileed across the table at Ben. "That's great, Ben. That bunny really is something else. I'm so glad we failed to make her drop out."

Adrian nodded. "I think we all are, and the same goes for her fox. Those two have been such a boon for the city. Though I worry about them too. They have made many enemies in the city. Bellwether still has sycophants that make plays for them from time to time. They are required to carry, and good gods, do they. Knives, batons, tazers, tranq and lethals. What's worse, they know how to use it all. I would have already had Hopps and Wilde teaching paw to paw once a week, if they had the rank for it."

Hector nodded. "What is up with that anyway? I'd think they would have meritorious promotions already."

Adrian nodded. "They are both sergeants, but I am still working to get that damn black mark out of Hopps' jacket. I had to put it there because of the head of Kit Services. I swear, if I had the authority to investigate, I would sick WildeHopps and Wolfeyer as a team on them. Hopps got that black mark protecting kits and their families from KS, and even still, a few were hurt and killed." The frustrated anger in his voice clear. "KS is one of the worst holdouts of the bigotry that Bellwether embodied. I talked to the Mayor about it, and maybe, now that the scum has been removed from the council, I can get the authority to investigate."

"Well, I certainly hope so." Ursula said, taking a bite of her pasta. "Mmmm... This is divine, Patricia. Perfectly cooked."

Patricia blushed. "Thank you. Ben has helped me learn to cook for predators. It wasn't fair to make him keep bringing take out home just so he could eat. It took some time to get used to doing it. I have tried tasting it, and I just can't with the meat, but the rest of it I can."

Ben nodded. "You did great with things like the sandwiches and wraps. Those are healthier options anyway. Still, she took some classes and made some friends with the predators in the class. She wasn't able to taste everything, so she had to get them to try things for her. Can not tell you how much the effort means to me, love." Taking her hoof and giving her a kiss on it.

Hector nodded. "That makes sense then. I've heard the same from a lot of prey colleagues. Just can't take the taste. There are a few that seem to like it and behave more like omnivores, like our favorite rabbit."

They continued with small talk and comments on the delicious food and how well Patricia cooked the chicken, given she was prey. After the meal, they returned to the living room for more conversation before the guests left.

As they finished up the meal, Ursula smiled and patted her stomach. "My goodness Patricia. I have to say, again, just how good that was. The perfect amount of spice, and the chicken was perfectly cooked. You should be proud of how well you cooked it. One would think you were a predator chef."

Adrian chuckled. "Don't go filling her head with such ideas or she might try it."

Ben chuckled himself, shaking his head. "Oh, I admit she is good, but you simply must try a place called Therus. It is just so good! Nick and Judy turned me on to it, specifically the burritos. I've eaten or gotten take out from there several times since they told me about it and I have never been disappointed. It's now owned by a Fennec fox that used to be Nick's business partner, and is the chef." Turning to Adiran. "You should try it for your delivered lunch. You'll not regret it, because his prey menu is really good too. A lot of the team has made it one of their primary lunch spots."

Adrian rubbed his chin. "I'll leave that to you then, as you're the one that does that ordering for me. I've only been dissatisfied once."

Ben's ears folded. "Yeah. I'm not sure what happened that time. The Zuber Eats guy must have dropped it or something."

Adrian pulled Ben to his side and kissed him on the top of the head. "Water under the bridge at this point, Kitten."

Hector laughed. "Still amazes me the way you interact. But then again, there is Ursula and I, and now you're saying a Tiger and a Wolf, a Fox and a Bunny?"

Ben nodded. "Oh it is so much more than just a Tiger and a Wolf. It's Mike Wolford. He's the Designate, which if I understand from what the other wolves have been saying, means his next in line as Alpha for the Wolford pack. The grumblings I've heard is that the current Alphas, Mike's mom and dad, are seriously evaluating Lizz to accept her as Mike's mate and also next Alpha female of the pack."

Hector put up both of his paws. "Hold up. Hold up. I teach species specific social cues and culture. I got brought along because you lot know that Ursula and I are together. But you're telling me that the current Alpha female of the Wolford pack, Victoria Wolford, is seriously considering a Tiger, Elizabeth Fangmeyer, as her replacement?"

Ben nodded. "That's what I am hearing from the wolves at the precinct. Most don't know what to think, because they know Lizz and Mike, and like and respect them. Shocked that they are together, and that Lizz's cubs are in fact Mikes. Of course, there is the argument over whether they would be cubs or pups, but that's up to the parents in my opinion. At least Judy and Nick don't have that concern. They'll be kits in either case."

Adrian laughed as Patricia cleared the table. "Focus, Ben. The wolves are saying?"

Blushing, Ben continued. "Sorry. So, most are not sure what to think and suggest they'll accept the Alpha's decision as they appreciate Lizz's strength, and if she is willing to learn their ways as wolves, they don't have an issue. Especially as she is able to provide pups to Mike, and is in fact doing so. There is the concern about them hiding their relationship, but many have suggested they understand it, considering what apparently happened with Mike's younger brother. He's apparently mated to a Water Deer. Those that are not for it are those that I know already are against inter-species couples in general."

Hector nodded. "Okay, that makes more sense. Still. That's shocking."

Adrian frowned. "There are officers expressing this, in the precinct?"

Ben's ears folded back. "Only in the context of the pack. I would have told you if I heard anyone talking the way Rast used to."

Adrian nodded. "Okay. But do keep me up on what is going on."

Ben smiled as his ears perked back forward. "Always my love. If it is something that will affect things negatively, then I always tell you."

Adrian nodded with a smile that never graces his muzzle in front of his officers. "I just wish I had listened to you when Hopps landed in the precinct initially." Looking up at their guests. "Ben tried to tell me that there was more to that bunny. I really wish I had listened."

Ursula nodded. "I know what you mean. I felt there was something weird about that rabbit from day one, but I never gave her a second thought. I just expected her to fail out. Only for her to come back and hit it harder, to ace tests, and knock out rhinos in the sparring ring. Both her and her fox are something different. Still, Lizz and Mike? That's a pairing I didn't expect."

Adrian smiled wider. "I was surprised myself. Once I figured it out, I really wanted to bring it up with them, but they were handling it. Though once Lizz got pregnant, I knew it was only a matter of time. Mike at the very least was going to have to come out and admit it to me, if only so that he could take his paternity leave. Then WildeHopps happened." Shaking his head. "Enough about them, how are you two doing? Heading straight back to the Academy tonight?"

Grinning, Hector shook his head. "No. We got ourselves a hotel here in the city for the next two days." Looking to Ursula with a grin. "I plan on making the most of the time."

Ursula nodded with a blush. "We're taking advantage of your call out and going to get some snuggle time in. We're extra careful at the Academy. We just don't want to make our relationship public. Though I guess we could take some pointers from both WildeHopps and Wolfeyer, I think you called them, Ben."

Adrian nodded. "Makes sense. Much like Ben being part of our family has to be kept quiet."

Patricia frowned with a pout. "It is so unfair though." Sitting down and giving Ben a kiss on the cheek.

With a long suffering sigh, Adrian shook his head. "I truly wish it didn't have to be this way. We've done all we can. We're legally married, it just isn't registered. MR is updated and such, but... I'm the chief of police for the entire city, as well as being in charge of Precinct One. Sadly that is how it has to stay until one of us retires. Someone is going to figure it out eventually, given that we always take vacation at the same time."

Ben nodded. "I'm okay with it. I don't need it to be public or anything. I only need to be here with both of you." Standing so he can kiss both Patricia and Adrian.

Adrian smiled. "And we are eternally glad you are."

Ursula laughed. "Gods, you three are just too sweet."

Patricia smiled at that. "Ben, why don't you grab the cards, and Ursula, Hector, you can regale us of the exploits of your most notable cadets that are not everyone's favorite Bunny and Fox."

A few minutes later, a hand of five card stud was being dealt out, along with drinks for all.

Looking over her cards, Ursula looked up. "Lets see, of this current class. I would have to say it's a young wolf that has my attention the most. He's a middle of the road student, and yet he can talk his way into or out of just about anything. I see him being a top flight negotiator once he has a few years under his belt. I'm actually going to put in a special recommendation for him to be placed in P1. It's the best place to get the experience he needs for that."

Adrian nodded. "Your prerogative. He must be good, generally, for you to do that. The question is, do I pair him with the rabbit and fox, or the wolf and tiger, as TOs?"

Ursula laughed at that. "I'll leave that to you. But yes, he is special. He deserves the chance. I hear Wilde is on the roster for negotiator now."

Adrian smiled with another nod. "He is. Even has one under his belt. Minor thing, but he can sure talk his way around an issue. Meaning, I'll probably stick this wolf with WildeHopps, if you really think he's got negotiations in his future. So what other fun have you been having."

Hector laughed. "He really does, so that would probably be best." Looking to Ursula. "I can't believe you haven't brought her up yet. I expected that to be the first thing you mentioned."

Ursula laughed as well. "Oh gods. How could I forget." Putting down two cards and taking her 2 new ones. "Last cycle, we had a roe deer doe. I really don't know what she thought the academy was going to be like, but it certainly wasn't what she was expecting. She tried giving orders to me about when her wake-up call should be. Complained incessantly, about everything. The food, having to stand in line for the food, running, that she wasn't allowed to make her hoof appointments."

Nodding along, Hector continued. "She acted as if she was expecting some sort of high class hotel. My lord, the out right tantrum she threw that first night when she found out that she would have roommates and not a one mammal room. Then, when she finally quit, balling to her father over the phone about how mean we were to her. He came into the building like he was some kind of important mammal, demanding to meet with those in charge. We all drew straws to see who got to be in the room with Ursula. I got lucky. He stood there, screaming and raving for a good twenty minutes about how important he was, how he'd have our jobs for treating his little girl so badly, etc... Then Ursula asks him one simple question. She asks him if he realized that this was the ZPA, as in Zootopia Police Academy, and not some prep or boarding school. The look of shock and embarrassment on his face... That was worth it."

Ursula swallowed a laugh and continued. "But no. Hector here couldn't leave well enough alone. He had to drop in and suggest that perhaps this was the best place for such a spoiled, entitled little brat. Whip her into shape, break some of her bad habits and teach her how to treat other mammals as more than lowly servants to do her bidding. He went from shock and embarrassed to rage in a flash. Then Hector dropped in on him. Telling him that our job was to take mammals and forge them into the baddest, most competent, and toughest mammals in the country. Then asked him if he didn't think his daughter could cut it."

Hector chuckled as he spoke. "He left in such a huff of impotent rage. The entire staff was laughing for a week about it. Even the cooks."

Ursula continued, doing her best to control her snickers. "Oh, and he had his lawyer send some weird threatening letter. The ZPA attorney and I got on a call with them. They made lots of boasting about discrimination and hostility to prey, etc... I just asked the same question. Did they realize that ZPA stood for Zootopia Police Academy. The same Academy that had both a rabbit and a fox graduate as Valedictorians. There was silence, then the attorney asked. Are you sure? I responded, yes, I'm Major Ursula Friedkin, head of the ZPA. Unless they changed things while I was asleep, the purpose of the ZPA is to train police officers, and yes, we are harsh, because we need to weed out those that cannot cut it as officers. I don't care if it is a rabbit, a wolf, an elk, or a bull elephant. We've graduated all of the above with honors, and washed out dozens more of just about every species. He apologized for wasting our time, that he would explain the situation to his client, and to disregard the letter."

Adrian laughed. "Oh gods. That is priceless. Amazing the things mammals think. Always fun when you get to smack them down that hard."

Ursula nodded with more laughter. "It is. Let's see. There has been the usual train of manifestly unprepared, unqualified, and unbelievably self-important washouts. You know, the ones that walk out, chest all puffed up, talking smack like they're better than us lowly mammals. Sadly, even with the updated physical expectations for the smaller mammals, we haven't had many that even seem to have a chance. Many of them seem to think that because Wilde and Hopps were both valedictorians, that the ZPA is somehow going to be a cake walk. They really do not understand that we put those two through the same requirements we expect of a wolf, a tiger, or a rhino.

Wilde and Hopps are not a standard we can measure even other rabbits and foxes by. I'm not sure we'll ever get another rabbit or fox to meet that level, we've yet to get a rabbit or fox that lasts more than a few weeks before washing out under the updated standards. At least until this current pair. Actually a relation to Hopps herself, a distant cousin I think. He's stronger than all the other rabbits I've seen, and the fox claims to be related to Wilde in some way as well. Neither are as strong as Hopps or Wilde, but they're much stronger and faster than all the previous ones that tried. They're also working together, moved rooms so they could room together, and would be passing, barely, but passing, under the standards that Wilde and Hopps passed under."

Adrian gave a shake of his head and a sarcastic laugh. "Figures it would take someone that is family of those two to be weird enough to make it through. Well, here's hoping they do make it." Lifting his glass.

Ursula nodded, and joined Adiran's toast. "I agree. They won't be P1, but will definitely make a good team. Already do. They've already put in their request to make sure they land in the same precinct as partners, after working with their TOs of course. The win to have another pair graduate under the MII would be great. Sure, there are a few more in the pipe for next cycle, but this is the first pair to really have a chance to make it."

Hector smiled. "Agreed. There are some other MII successes. We've had a stoat that graduated under the new rules. Assigned to P5, and from what I hear, he's doing really well there. Yet, all of those successes are due to the updated expectations that take into account that a smaller mammal, generally speaking, can't take down an elephant."

Adrian shook his head. "That's just the thing. I think, personally, we should hold smaller mammals up to at least some of that example, to the standard that WildeHopps have set."

Ursula smiled. "It's not as bad as it sounds, Adiran. They're not expected to have the physical strength those two show, but we have already established that they're weird when it comes to that. MII recruits are expected to complete the obstacle course. They're still expected to spar against mega-fauna, and even learn take down techniques for the same. Though focused more on getting in, using their size to put multiple tranq darts into said mammal."

Adrian snorted. "Are you kidding? WildeHopps take it as a damn challenge to take down, without tazer or tranq, rhino's and elephants. I've watched the traffic cam footage. Judy or Nick will jump up on their face, they'll go to smack them off and end up hitting themselves. A few times of that, they're staggering, and then their abnormal strength comes into play. Just like tonight with Nick taking down Thrillist. A full grown, trained polar bear, and Nick had him in a wrist lock and paw cuffed in under thirty seconds. I don't expect others to be able to pull that off, but they should be able to do a holding action until support arrives."

Ursuals chuckled. "Oh, they will be. They just have to stop washing out. Just because the expectations for graduation are shifted to take their size into account, that doesn't mean it is easy by any means. They are expected to be in top physical condition for their species. Now, what is with that move he pulled anyway. Never seen anything like that, and knowing where a polar bear's pressure points are for that matter."

Adrian chuckled. "That is a combination of his time as a vigilante and working for Big."

Ursula froze, eyes going wide. "Wait. He worked for Big? And he's a cop?!"

Adrian shrugged. "Both of them are considered family. It's weird, and they have to write up reports every time they go to a family function. Judy is the godmother of Big's grandcubs."

Ben had frozen for a second and almost dropped his cards. He was still a cheetah, so his mind still worked fast, even if his body didn't anymore. He hadn't been sure he had heard right before, because he was focused on other things, but now it was confirmed. Nick and Judy had been vigilantes. He was the king of all things niche, and that included comics and the strange things that had happened to Zootopia that no one seemed to remember. There had been a few rabbits and foxes that had gotten in on the vigilante craze, but only two were worth their salt. The Vengeful Vulpine and The Bunny Avenger.

Taking a deep breath, Ben thought a quick moment on how to get the verification he needed for what he was now convinced was true. "I totally believe that Judy and Nick were vigilantes. What did they go by?"

Patricia laughed. "Seriously, Ben. You and your obsession with pop culture and fringe news."

Adrian shook his head with a smile. "Ben, you wouldn't ask unless you were pretty sure already that they were Vengeful Vulpine and The Bunny Avenger. Just promise me that you won't spread that information. They fight enough battles, we don't need fanboys, or worse lunatic wannabe comic book villains that want to take out their perceived arch-nemesis."

Ben grinned while nodding, managing to hold in a squeal. "My lips are sealed, but that explains so much about those two."

Ursula nodded. "Maybe a little, but it really doesn't explain where Judy learned to fight. Though Nick working for Big does somewhat."

Patricia shook her head. "I swear, that's all you mammals can talk about. I mean, Ben I get." Leaning over and kissing him on the top of the head. "He finally got confirmation of his two favorite ships, and he's talked about them for ages, so he's feeling vindicated. But what with the rest of you? Adrian, you complain about the walking, talking, five alarm migraine those two are. What I want to hear is about you two." Pointing to Ursula and Hector. "How are you doing? Are you planning on ever having cubs?"

Ursula laughed. "We tried for many years, Patty. It just wasn't in the cards for us, and working at the Academy, we just couldn't give an adopted cub the time and attention they would need. We're looking at adopting after we retire. Something to keep us occupied and active."

Hector nodded. "It wasn't for a lack of trying. I'm still trying to convince her that we can adopt, that I don't teach classes all day, and if she delegated more."

Grumbling, Ursula glared at Hector. "I would, if I could find a drill instructor that was worth the paper their resume was printed on. You saw those last dozen morons that came through. I mean, that one badger claimed that he trained special forces. He couldn't train his way out of a wet paper bag. Special forces? HA! I checked up on him afterwards, he was a special instructor at a damn military school, and not even a good one. He came so highly recommended too. Learned my lesson to always call and verify before hiring."

Patricia chuckled, shuffling her cards. "That's terrible. You get a lot of those unqualified types?"

Shaking her head, Ursula snorted. "Actually, no. Qualifications wise, most of the applicants can actually back up their resumes. The issue is actually backing up their resume. There is just a mentality to doing what we do, and so far, we have failed to get any applicants that can actually do the job expected of them."

"I'm sure you will find someone to do the job the way you expect."

Ursula chuckled. "I already have, but Adrian will not reassign them to me."

Laughing loudly, Adrian shook his head. "I'm not giving you WildeHopps. I have other plans for them, so you are just going to have to keep looking.

Patricia looked across to Hector, who had already given up on the hand and folded. "What about your Hector. You're the head classroom instructor, right?"

"I am. My luck hasn't been much better than Ursula's. I get applicants to teach weapons and marks mammalship. I get lots of ex-military that can't hit a barn from ten feet with a shotgun. I get high school teachers that don't actually know their subjects. I get the occasional promising mammal, and then they balk at the teaching conditions. It's a damn police academy, so yeah, the mammals are going to be sweaty and smelly, rowdy, and you're going to have to engage them. It kinda goes with the territory."

"I suppose after Ursula gets done with them in the mornings, and then just tossing them directly into the classroom makes for some smelly mammals."

Hector nodded. "You get used to it, but it is also kinda the point for the students, not the instructors. They have to be used to operating, paying attention, remembering things, and working hard when they are already exhausted. They need to be able to work hard, pay attention to detail, and operate when they are already feeling beat down, dirty, etc..."

Patricia nodded. "Okay, that makes more sense. So even those you might want to keep, don't stick around for long because of conditions."

Hector shrugged. "It is what it is. Many of our instructors are ex-cops that were injured and had to find other jobs. Sadly, even when they are coming in from other cities, they don't seem to stay. I had to fire one because he refused to teach classes with predators in them. I was rightly shocked, considering I interviewed him. I did finally get a new weapons and marks mammal instructor though. He's a Coyote/Fox mix and he shoots really well. He's a former military sniper, but he's got bad knees and wears braces on both, but I've only seen a few shoot better than him. Our duo being the most notable. He said it is something he got from his mom's side, the fox half of him."

"Oh, well that's good at least."

"It is, but I don't think he'll be around long. The military ground him down, and his health isn't great."

Adrian's phone buzzed with a message. Checking it, he grinned and snorted. "Yes! Finally something going my way." Scrolling. "Several things actually." Looking up at the expectant looks. "Just the Mayor's office letting me know some positive news."

Patricia smiled. "That's great dear, now are you going to share?"

Returning her smile with a grin of his own, Adrian shook his head. "Nope. This news does a double whammy on me. It addresses some things I was worried about, but adds a whole new level of stress on me that I will need to figure out how to address. I have a Task Force to get started, and that's all I am going to say."

Patricia glared at Adrian while Ben grinned and commented. "So, Nick gets to set it up sooner than later? Shouldn't you text him to have Judy join him tomorrow morning?"

Adrian glared down at Ben. "How can you know any of that?"

Giving Adrian a look. "Who do you have do your copies? Do you really think I don't read stuff while I wait for the document resizing to go through?" Pausing, his grin expanding to Cheshire cat levels. "Wait! Does that mean the mayor signed off on their promotions! OMG! It does, doesn't it!"

Groaning, Adrian grabbed Ben's muzzle to silence him, giving him a kiss. "I love you, Kitten, but sometimes you are too observant for either of our goods."

Ben took a second to shake off what the kiss did to his brain. "I won't say anything, but this is awesome. I can't think of anyone more deserving."

Ursula coked her head to the side. "What is he referring to, Adrian?"

Adrian groaned deeper and leaned back, rubbing his temples. "Our favorite duo have been working closely with Chromest and Ghalt on the anti-inter-species case. Working with them on evidence re-evaluation, case review, etc... Well, I got the report on their performance from Chromest and Ghalt, and Ursula, you'll appreciate this. Chromest and Ghalt actually recommended both of them for early promotion to LT and Detective."

Ursula looked at Adrian for a moment then threw her head back and laughed, taking a moment to recover as she saw Adrian's consternated look. "Wait! You're serious‽ No way in any version of hell did Chromest and Ghalt give such a recommendation."

Adrian chuckled and nodded. "Oh, but they did. They are both exceedingly impressed with them as a pair and separately. Even stated, as I have mentioned a few times in the past, separately they are good, average to slightly above average cops, together they are a force of nature. So the mayor has greenlit the removal of the mark from Hopps jacket, especially given the reason it was there. I look forward to torturing Nick while we wait for his mate to show up on Monday. I'm not telling him why, and plan on being as just as surly as I can be to make him sweat."

Patricia laughed. "Oh, Adrian. Why so mean?"

"That's because you don't have to deal with that fox's mouth on a daily basis. He always finds some jibe or snarky comment to add to everything, yet nothing I can do more than tell him to shut up about. He's a master of walking the line. I do take great joy in his pained groans as Judy elbow's him in the ribs, but she is not there now, so there is no one keeping him under control"

Ursula laughed. "Oh, I believe that. He did always have some smart remark ready to fire."

Ben grinned. "This is so awesome. Detectives WildeHopps!"

Hector nodded with a smile. "Yes. I can't see anything going wrong with that."

Groaning, Adrian slid down in his seat slightly. "Please, don't remind me. Back to the Academy. How are things going overall? I heard you had a squirrel that was doing well."

Hector laughed. "Was. Past tense. He flunked out, couldn't keep up with the academics. We have another in the current batch though. He's a larger red squirrel, and doing quite well. Unlike other small/tiny mammals, he's tapping into the resource that is the other recruits. He's working and studying with them. He and a wolf seem to have become fast friends and while he may not be large, the wolf still pushes him on the physical side. One more push up, one more rep with the weights, etc... I think he might actually make it through and be a worthy officer for Little Rodentia. I mean, he's still larger than most, but he's small enough that he won't cause an issue. Plus, you won't have WildeHopps calling in to go Kaiju whenever they get called in."

Patricia laughed. "They don't!"

Ben nodded. "Nick thinks it is funny. Of course, he also plays with the school kits, peaking in on them, giving playful roars. It is actually a whole thing with him and the schools. The kids love to scream and run around in mock terror, much to their teachers frustration. Though it does give them a chance to run large mammal incursion drills with the kids as well. Having a squirrel on the force and assigned there would surely help too. Any other tiny mammals?"

"A pair of mice, a rat, and a small chipmunk. All weren't doing all that great until they started working together and following the red squirrel's lead to befriend and work with the larger recruits. They're still borderline, but that is better than where they were, which was a week or two from straight flunking out. The rat and chipmunk have attached themselves to the rabbit and fox. Though the tiny mammals have a different obstacle course, it is still arduous."

The evening's conversation continued from there. Discussing the recruits, who Ursula and Hector thought would end up in which precinct and why. Who might make it to P1, which were few that cycle with even a chance. They even managed to avoid further discussion of WildeHopps.

After seeing their guests off, the three remaining mammals in the house, two cape buffalo and a portly cheetah finished cleaning up and got ready for bed. After sharing their rhino sized shower and some intimate time between the three of them, they curled up on their large bed, the buffalo both curled around the cheetah, and were all quickly asleep.

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

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: ( Direct: dcballard (remove the spaces) because the forwarding is misbehaving.) and then select Scribblings Blog ( Scribblings ).