3 Confrontations and Revelations

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Since I'm only about halfway through the next chapter of Life is a Highway, I figured that I'd drop this chapter of Unintended consequences to at least partially keep my readers knowing that I'm actually still alive and that Life is a Highway is NOT dead in the water.

Please drop a review an let me know what you think of this little foray …

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As Judy sits in her sister's truck in the hospital parking lot, her mind races at a hundred miles an hour … her mother will be so disappointed … kits on the way and no husband or even a prospective legitimate mate to help raise and watch after the kits. No buck in his right mind is going to want to even date her with kits on the way, especially with her not knowing who the actual father might be.

Her father, already upset, furious actually, that at the very least his insurance will be footing the medical bills for a predator, especially a fox, which will cause his premiums to drastically increase for possibly the next several years. Worst case, Stuart Hopps will most likely be out of pocket for a very healthy sum.

Letting out a heavy sigh, Judy starts the truck and makes the half-hour journey from the hospital to the main Hopps warren.

As the young doe pulls up in front of the main warren entrance, her mother hurries out to greet her.

"Is-is everything alright Bun-Bun?" as the matronly doe.

"I-I don't know mom, I really don't! Everything is so screwed up…"

"And what about the fox?" comes the chilling question from her father as he exits the warren.

"Detective Wilde is out of danger and expected to make a full recovery." answers Judy "Deb said it may take between six and nine months before he'll be released from a doctor's care, whether from here or Zootopia, it makes no difference. Deb was called in because even being in Aurora she's more experienced with working on predators than anybunny else."

"Bull puckey. I'll go in there myself and have him discharged-" as Stu begins a rant.

"Stuart!"begins Bonnie hotly "If you go charging to the hospital and try to get that young mammal discharged, you'll end up in jail and we'll have to pay a heavy fine to get you out on top of everything else. Don't you remember what Debra said about tampering with patients when she became a doctor?"

"And I'm expected to just sit back and let that, that FOX just laze about for a year on MY money?" rants the buck.

"Firstly, you already know that's what insurance is for," interrupts Bonnie "that's been talked to death at this point. Besides, the fact that mister Wilde is a fox is entirely beside the point. He happens to be a mammal, and a police officer at that, who was injured by our daughter. There's nothing else that can be done at this point in time, so just let it go for now at least."

When Stu 'harrumphs' and reenters the warren, Bonnie turns back to her daughter. "Now dear, what did you need to talk to me in private about?"

"On … on top of everything else that's happened today I … I just found out … that … I'm pregnant!"

For a moment, Bonnie can only stare open mouthed at her daughter, too stunned to say anything. Finally, she manages to find her tongue: "So, who's the buck? Do we know him?"

"I – I have no idea." Judy manages to shamefully admit.

"WH-WHAT? No idea? Really? How could you possibly have no idea?" stammers a shocked Bonnie.

Letting out another heavy sigh, Judy elaborates: "Do you remember when I got the notification that I'd been accepted to the Zootopia Police Academy?" seeing her mother nod slightly, Judy continues "Well if you remember, I went out and partied that night … and I got kinda drunk … and woke up the next morning, realizing that I'd actually slept with someone. All I remember for sure is that he had brownish fur and blue eyes. He never gave a name or said where he was from. He may have even slipped something in my drink when I wasn't looking, I don't know for sure."

"And what are you going to do about it?" comes the oft asked question that Judy knew was coming.

"For one thing I'm NOT getting an abortion. This is my mistake and I'll take care of it myself. I won't kill my innocent kits who have done nothing wrong."

"Well, you get points for having the sense to take that route." responds a visibly relieved Bonnie "Will you be returning to the farm? I'm sure you won't be able to go the police academy while you're pregnant."

"Chief Bogo told me that there's a shortened ZPA course for smaller communities, and that he'd put in a recommendation for me to be able to attend that course. He also told me that he'd put in a good word for me with sheriff Justice so I could possibly work for the Tri-Burrows sheriff's office after I graduate the academy."

"And what about the injured officer? What did he have to say about everything?" asks Bonnie.

With a rueful smile, Judy tells her mother "Not much, his jaw was messed up so he couldn't talk. Deb said that he should be better in a day or so, so I'm going to go back and talk to him then. At least I got the impression that he wouldn't be pressing charges."

"And in the meantime?" asks Bonnie with a bit of apprehension.

"Tomorrow I'll go and talk to sheriff Justice and put in an amended application to the ZPA. Then I'll need to try and find someplace to liv-"

"Nonsense, you can stay here, with us in the warren." interrupts Bonnie.

"No mom, I can't. I know you and especially dad too well. You'd be constantly pushing me to try to find someone, anyone, to marry just so the kits would have a father figure, no matter how miserable I'dbe. And I refuse to be around dad, carrying on all day or night about the miserable fox whose very existence is killing him, draining him and the farm of every last penny. No, thanks for the offer but I really need to get my own place."

*SIGH* "Since you put it that way, I guess you're right" admits Bonnie "… Anyway, I'm sure you haven't eaten anything lately, and you know you need to eat more now that you're with kits."

"You're right, I am hungry!"

"Well, sit down and I'll fix you something, then you might as well get some rest. It sounds like you're going to have busy next couple of days."

After a quick meal of stir-fried veggies and some generic vegetable juice, Judy heads to bed after a very trying day.

Rising just before dawn as has been her habit for as long as she can remember, Judy contemplates whether or not she should continue her normal routine now that she knows that she's pregnant. Deciding that it couldn't hurt since she's only about 3 weeks into her pregnancy, Judy throws on her usual light sweat pants and hoodie and does her stretches and jogs her usual 5 laps (5 miles) around the perimeter of the Hopps compound.

After returning to the warren, Judy grabs a quick shower, several granola bars and a couple of bottles of water and heads out to speak with sheriff Justice, making a mental note to find an ob/gyn that will see her, not wanting everyone in the Hopps warren to know about her pregnancy just yet.

Parking in one of the few parking spaces in front of the Tri-Burrow sheriff's office, Judy enters the building and is greeted by sheriff Justice's son, Junior at the front desk.

"Hey Miss Judy, what kin ah do fer ya?"

"Hey Junior. I-I really need to talk to the sheriff if he's not busy …"

"Ah'course. No problem 'tall. Hey daddy, Judy Hopps is here ta see ya!" the young buck simply yells.

A totally exasperated sheriff Justice steps to the doorway of his office – "Junior, how many times do I gots ta tell ya ta call me sheriff while we're around the public? And use the damned intercom instead of yellin'!"

"Sorry daddy …"

Rolling his eyes, the older buck simply looks to Judy "See what I gots ta put up with? Anyways, c'mon in Judy." as he motions the young doe towards his office.

As he takes his seat behind his modest desk, sheriff Justice motions for Judy to take a chair, then proceeds: "Judy, I'm pretty sure I know why you're here, but I'll let you tell me just to be certain."

Placing her paws in her lap with her ears flat on her back after taking her seat, Judy gets straight to the point: "Sheriff, I need to know that if I go the shortened ZPD academy, I'll have a job with the Tri-Burrow sheriff's office when I graduate."

"Before I say yes, I need fer ya ta answer a question fer me … an' I need an honest answer." comments the old buck with a definite note of seriousness.

"Which is?" asks Judy, now a bit fearful.

"Would ya absolutely need ta be detailed ta Bunnyburra, or would ya be willin' ta accept a patrol somewhere else in the Tri-Burrow area? The reason I'm asking's simple – the department's fully staffed 'round the Burra, and I really need officers elsewhere. There is openings in Podunk, Deerbrook and 'specially in Aurora."

Giving the question a moment's thought, Judy admits "Truthfully, I'd really appreciate a position anywhere except Bunnyburrow. It's a bit too close to the fluffle. Mom would constantly push me to get married and dad … no matter what I do, dad is gonna be furious with me. Debra lives and works in Aurora, so I guess that's probably the best place for me, at least I'll know somebunny there."

"Ya do realize that Aurora's predator heavy fer residents and most of them folks is mixed species couples, right?"

"Yes sir." comes the immediate answer "I'd need to be able to encounter predators if I was in Zootopia, so it seems like that would probably be my best fit."

"I thought so … and so did Chief Bogo and detective Wilde. I guess thet's why they offered ta pay yer way through the course, yer dorm fees, meals, books and all other associated expenses while yer at the Academy."

"Th-they what? Why would they offer to do that? Especially Wilde of all mammals?" asks a totally stunned Judy.

"I guess thet you'll just have ta ask 'em that yerself when you see 'em. Chief Bogo should be visiting his officer after lunch, so why don't ya show up at the same time?"

"I guess I can do that." pulling out her phone, Judy tries to call her sister to make sure that it would be okay, however: "That's strange, my phone shows no service. Is yours working?"

Pulling out his own cell phone, the buck tells Judy that it is.

Coming to the only conclusion available, Judy begins to tear up yet again "Dad must've cut off my phone because I defended officer Wilde. Can – may I please use your computer to reapply to the academy?"

"Certainly." as the older buck rises from his seat. "Simply input yer updated information and indicate the starting date that's closest, which is in just two weeks from this coming Monday, and print out a copy if ya want. I'll notify Bogo and Wilde so all tuition and other fees will be billed directly to 'em."

"Thank you, sheriff." responds a very grateful Judy as she takes her place in front of the computer.

As the young doe updates her application to the ZPA, the terrible realization of just how very alone she suddenly is settles into her very being … so very disheartening for a highly communal mammal like a rabbit! No phone, no computer access, no car to get around in, no real place to go home to after the academy, no money to speak of, and worst of all … virtually no family to turn to for comfort or advice, especially with kits on the way!

After finishing and printing out her updated application, Judy says goodbye to the sheriff and his son and makes her way through the snow to Debra's truck, dreading the trip back to the warren.

Arriving at the Hopps warren, Judy's worst fears are not only confirmed, but prove to be much worse than anticipated, if that was at all possible.

Seeing her parents standing on the front porch, mother fretting and father frowning deeply, Judy exits the truck finally noticing several boxes setting in the snow as well.

"Mom … dad … what's all this?" motioning towards the boxes.

"Well Bun-Bun-" begins Bonnie before Stu interrupts.

"This is your stuff," begins the buck "all of it. You are no longer welcome here. Your phone and debit cards that are tied to the warren accounts are cut off. Being pregnant and not knowing who the father is is bad enough, but to take the side of a FOX of all mammals, it's just too much. Pick up your things and leave … NOW!"

"But-" begins Judy as she tries to explain.

"NOW Judith!" he demands.

As a tearful Judy looks to her equally tearful mother, the poor doe is more downcast and depressed than ever. Slowly picking up her meagre belongings (including the small paw painted wood sign that formerly adorned the door to her small room) and loads them into the bed of Debra's pickup.

Pulling over just out of sight of the warren, Judy breaks down and cries until the tears will no longer flow.

Finally drying her tear-stained cheeks as best she can, Judy figures that she might as well head to the hospital to visit with Nick and Chief Bogo.

After spending several minutes sitting in the parking lot composing herself, Judy enters the hospital and makes her way towards room 512.

As she passes the fifth-floor nurse's desk, she's informed that Nick has been moved from the ICU unit to a room on the third floor.

Trudging down to the third floor, Judy is told by that desk nurse that both Nick and the Chief are in room 325.

Leaving the third-floor nurse's desk, Judy turns and goes down the hall, stopping in front of the room to try once again to compose herself.

Pasting on a fake smile, Judy knocks gently on the room door and hears "Enter!" from the chief.

"Mornin' Hopps!" Nick greets the doe, which surprises the doe to no end.

"Good morning officer Wilde, chief." comes the half-hearted reply.

As the two males look back and forth between each other and Judy, Bogo finally asks "Okay Hopps, what's the problem?"

"I-I don't know what you're talking about! I'm fine!" denies the doe.

"Hopps, you are possibly the absolute worst liar I've ever come across!" accuses Bogo.

"Miss Hopps," continues a now vocal Nick "Adrian and I interrogate criminals for a living. It's painfully obvious to both of us that something's bothering you. Please tell us what it is. We can't help if we don't know what's wrong. And yes, my snout and jaw are much better, much to the chief's chagrin!" snarks the todd.

"It-it's just more personal stuff, I really don't think that you can help." as tears threaten to well up once again.

"What could possibly be worse that what you've already shared?" asks Nick "We already know that you're pregnant and the mammal that caused that has bailed. Please …"

Letting out a heavy sigh and having no one else to turn to, Judy has to share with someone.

"Fine." the doe finally manages to choke out after a deep breath "… To start everything off, when I went to verify that I'd be employed with the Tri-Burrow sheriff's office after graduating from the academy this morning, my phone gave me a 'no service' notification (making air quotes) so I had to use the sheriff's computer to update my application to the ZPA after the sheriff reassured me that I would have a job when I graduate.

"When I got home, mom and dad were waiting on the front porch. Dad made sure I knew that he was furious with me not only because I'm pregnant with no mate, but because I stuck up for you, detective Wilde. He-he even tossed me out of the warren.

"So now, here I am … pregnant – no home, no mate, no money, no phone and no hope!" as the poor doe breaks down again.

Sitting in shocked silence, Nick and Bogo were at a loss for words.

Finally, after a few moments thought, Nick manages to come up with a plan, but first needs Judy to answer a vital question.

"Will you allow us, or better yet, ME to help you?"

"Maybe …" she answers" but why you – specifically?"

"Well, I did manage to get you into most of this mess, the worst of it at least by being in the wrong place at the wrong time." answers the todd honestly.

"What kind of help, and … what do you want in return … specifically?" she asks warily.

"Well, to begin with … a phone, some cash and a place to stay before and after the academy." begins the todd.

"And again, what do you need in return?" asks mildly suspicious doe.

"Let me set up a few things first, then you can either agree to or reject anything or everything, no strings attached if you agree and no hard feelings if you decide not to."

Receiving no answer, Nick turns to Bogo: "Phone please Adrian."

After receiving his phone, Nick begins making a few calls:

"Hello, Horizon? Yes, this is detective Nicholas Wilde, Pin 5072. I would like to add a phone to my account, full unlimited talk, text and data package. Yes, that's correct. No, I won't need a phone, just add another number to my existing plan. The number? wait one second please …"

Placing the device on mute, Nick asks Judy "I need your number … please."

"… 931-555-4231." cautiously replies the young doe.

After relaying the information to the mammal on the other end, Nick thanks her and terminates the call.

Just then, Judy's phone unexpectedly receives an incoming call.

Answering the call, Judy is amazed to hear: "Welcome to Horizon…"

Terminating the call, Judy notices that Nick is again on his phone:

When her phone suddenly rings again, she sees it's from … Nick?

"Now you have my number so you can call or text anytime." comes his amused voice.

Hanging up and dialing yet again, Nick makes yet another call.

"Yes, Animalia National, this is Detective Nicholas Wilde, badge number 4494. I need to have another name added to my secondary ATM account. Yes, that's right. Hopps, Judith Laverne. Yes, full access. Thank you." and terminates the call.

Seeing Judy staring at him, open mouthed, he can only ask "What?"

"Full access … to one of your accounts? Really? Why?"

"My secondary account. Yes really, and as to why, you need to remember that a lot of what has happened to you the last few days, especially your being banished from your home, which is, again, mostly my fault after all. My being in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"But it's so much…" she protests.

"Miss Hopps … Judy" he begins "I've been in dark places before. This is my way of paying my good fortune forward. But I have to ask, don't you have any family or friends you can connect with, to count on for support?"

"As far as family, probably only Debra for sure, and I hate to impose on her and her mate and kits for so much. My friends are few and far between since I dedicated almost all of my free time up until now pursuing my dream of becoming an officer. I guess there's only Gideon Gray and his wife Sharla that I can count as friends." Judy sadly admits.

"I see. The same Gideon Gray who clawed you and was sent to juvie?" asks Bogo, remembering their earlier conversation.

"The very same." admits the doe. "We made up years ago … he's also the best baker in the Tri-Burrows and Sharla … she's been my best friend since we were little."

"That's it?" Nick asks.

"Yeah, pitiful isn't it?"

"No, not really" he admits. "The chief already told you what became of my parents and … sister. Not counting the military, my only real friend since I left home at age twelve until I became a cop was Finnick, so I understand completely. Speaking of which, I need to make one more call."

Dialing a certain number from his contact list, Nick contacts his friend "Finn! Yeah, it's me. Listen, I need a favor. No fer cryin' out loud definitely NOT that! I need you to load up the '66 'Cuda on the rollback and bring it to the Tri-Burrow Medical Center or whatever near Bunnyburrow. No, I'm not prankin' ya, just do it. I need it here as early tomorrow as you can get it here. Yeah, Bogo knows, he's standing right here. Say hi to Finn boss…"

"It's okay Finn, you can take the time and use a precinct rollback to bring Nick's car tomorrow." says Bogo, finally a part of the ongoing conversation.

Terminating the call, Nick turns his attention to a doe with her mouth hanging partway open.

"So much … too much … I can't possibly accept all of this." admits a stunned Judy.

After a few moments of thought: "Look" begins a slightly frustrated Nick, gently pinching the bridge of his still tender snout with his left paw. "I don't know why you need to make this so difficult … how about this – if you really want to be able to pay me back, I have a suggestion, something with a bit of a personal touch."

Seeing the combined look of dread and slight anger, Nick hurriedly continues "No, it's NOT what you're probably thinking. I've been pondering moving away from the city for a bit lately and this might be just the opportunity (which garners a side-eyed look from Bogo). I would like to request that you educate me on the goings on, the local traditions and such of the Tri-Burrow area. With the exception of my time in the military, I've spent literally all my life in Zootopia and perhaps it's time to educate myself about the surrounding areas. If you'd be willing to tutor me before, during and after I'm in rehab, I'd be willing to call us even. What do you say to that as a form of repayment?"

While neither Nick or Judy catches Bogo side-eyeing the todd in surprise, the bovine keeps quiet, knowing full well that Nick has never voiced such thoughts in the past. 'We'll wait and see where this goes' he thinks.

Mulling the suggestion over, Judy sees no problem with it, and if there's a hidden agenda somewhere, she should have ample opportunity to call it off.

"Deal." agrees the doe as she extends a paw.

With a genuine smile, Nick uses his left paw to shake with.

Almost as an afterthought, Judy asks "Are you sure there are no ulterior motives behind this idea of yours?"

"Well," begins Nick "you are the … prettiest … female I've seen for a long time ..." and adds a quick wink to the end of the statement.

A slightly embarrassed and flustered Judy decides to throw a bit of snark back at the flirty todd "Don't call me cute it's-"

Which is exactly when Debra manages to step into the room – this is NOT a good bit of timing.

"What's this? As an officer you should know better than to call a rabbit, especially a rabbit doe, cute!" Debra rants.