8 Visitors
~0~
In honor of my birthday, I've decided to post the last prewritten chapter of this offering. There are definitely going to be more chapters, these were all I had been working on while struggling with Life is a Highway.
~0~
"Listen Judy," finally continues the now very serious todd "even considering the carnage of the military, there are things I've seen as a cop …things that I truly hope that you never have to see. The victims of grisly murders, the victims of mammals gone savage, mammals that we've found half eaten, the messy suicides, the mammals killed in car wrecks that we've had to pull out in pieces, the victims of kit abuse, the horrors of drug related deaths. Please count yourself lucky that hopefully you'll never see those things in a small-town sheriff's department."
"All of the things that I've been subjected to all of my life seem so paltry now." whispers a now demur Judy.
"Nothing is ever paltry Judy!" says Nick quietly but forcefully, pulling the doe close "No matter how large or small, good or bad, everything that has happened or will happen to you has shaped you into the mammal that you are now. The name calling, the physical and emotional violence and abuse and how you handled them has created the Judy Hopps that I have in my arms … arm … right now, and I wouldn't trade her for the world."
…
"What da hell Wilde?" suddenly comes the gravel coated voice from the doorway. "Buff'lo Butt tole me dat ya gots a bunny girlfriend, but dis looks more like a damn harem!"
As all eyes turn to the new mammal entering the room, Nick has to laugh. "Ladies, say hello to my little friend, the one and only James Taylor Finnick, more affectionately known as Finn."
"Ha, ha Wilde – dat was funny da first time, about five years ago, not so much since. Anyways, pleased ta meet y'all!" the smaller fennec fox replies "Bogo never said how cute yer new 'friend' was tho…" making air quotes with his paws.
Holding up a paw when three sets of angry eyes focus in on him, Finn calmly faces the oncoming storm of angry bunnies.
"Hol' up, hol' up, hol up!" he announces, waving his paws in the air "I already knowed dat yer not s'posed ta call a bunny cute, but all three of y'all is just too cute ta let it go. In dis case, y'all is so damned purty, dat it's what y'all is. Y'all is purty awready, got it?"
As the three does stare in shock at Finn's short tirade, Nick tries to calm things down a bit.
"Okay, how about a few proper introductions? Ladies, I already told you that this miscreant is called Finn. Finn, the doe in blue scrubs is Darci, the one in the white coat is doctor Deb, and the beautiful one in the skimpy t-shirt is Judy. Now, what's up Finn?"
Striding confidently across the room, Finn uses the same chair standing next to the red todd's bed that the does have been using. Plopping down the messenger bag that he had been carrying, Finn first pulls out two sets of keys and drops them on the bed.
"Dese is both sets a keys ta da 'Cuda sittin' in the parkin' lot along wit a couple a keys ta yers an' yer folk's place. Da car's sittin' outside by a pole marked 'D' fer dumbass … like you." smirks the small todd. "Wolfie an' Fangs is taken' care of yer place till ya gets back on yer feet."
Pulling out a fair-sized stack of mail, Finn plops it down on the bed "Here's yer mail so far. Fangs is gonna make sure dat da rest is put in da house, but yer gonna haf'ta figger out how ta get it from now on."
Flipping the large flap of the messenger bag open, Finn continues. "Da rest a dis shit in here's yer ZPD laptop an' da case files ya was werkin' on afore … ya tried ta git yerself kilt!"
"Yeah," replies Nick confidently "I know. Thanks Finn, I think everything 'll be okay from here on out, thanks to Judy and her sisters. We'll figure out something to get my mail. Tell Bogo I'll get to the case files when I'm able to, he'll understand."
"Maybe I can help?" suggests Judy a bit timidly.
"I'll talk to Adrian later, I'm sure he won't mind too much considering the circumstances." admits Nick.
Hopping down from the bed to the chair to the floor and heading for the door, Finn tells the room "As much as I'd love ta stick around a while an' jaw wit y'all, Buff'lo Butt tole me I'd have da rest a da day off if I made dis run. B'ides, Mona's got da day off too an' you know what dat means…so ciao!"
Stopping at the door, Finn turns and adds with an evil grin "While I'm thinkin' 'bout it … Lola's on her way too. She'll be here purty soon I'm sure. Ya know how dat bunny kin drive. Anyways, I'm otta here ..." as his laughter echoes while he walks down the hall.
…
"Lola? Bunny?" asks a curious Judy, now showing a bit of attitude (jealousy) as she turns to Nick.
"Firstly," explains Nick holding up a single digit, "Yes, Lola is a bunny, a hare actually. And she's my junior detective partner in the ZPD ..."
"Is she pretty?" asks a suspicious Judy, with both Debra and Darci quietly interested in the byplay.
"Why don't judge for yourself!" comes yet another new voice from just inside the doorway.
As the three Hopps does turn and look at the newest mammal, they observe a very tall and extremely attractive lagomorph doe wearing a pair of dark-blue well-tailored slacks, pink button up shirt which is a bit open at the collar, and a dark blue blazer. The gold detective badge clipped to her belt was also quite noticeable.
"Allow me to introduce myself." continues the doe as she enters the room. "My name is Detective Sergeant Lola Marie Bunnee. And yes, I happen to be Detective Lieutenant Wilde's junior partner on the force. I'm here at the request of my senior partner to attempt to ascertain the identity of the mammal who allegedly raped one Judith Hopps. Would any of you three happen to be Judith Hopps?"
"That would be me!" responds Judy, with more than a bit of ice in her voice.
"Before things escalate, let me explain a few things." continues Lola, pinning Judy with her gaze "To begin with, you have nothing to fear from me insofar as detective Wilde's feelings are concerned. While detective Wilde is quite attractive, single and is, or rather was, available, I happen to be happily married with three kits of my own. My mate is not only a loving husband and father, he also happens to be a well-known celebrity as well a movie and TV star. His name is George Washington Bunny, but you all most likely know him by his stage name … Bugs Bunny."*
With all three Hopps does staring at Lola, mouths open and eyes slightly bugged out the hare doe continues: "Due to the circumstances, please allow me to attempt to explain a few things that I would normally not do for anyone else. I get my height from my great-great grandfather, who was a Flemish giant, which is why I'm roughly the same size as detective Wilde. Bugs has roughly the same genetic background that I do which is why we're the same size.
"I was mocked because of my size as a kit, but became very popular when I got to high school. Because of my size I was quite naturally a basketball star. Four high school championships and three collegiate championships later I was on my way to be a pro when I tore out my left knee. Forced to change directions, I changed my major to criminal justice with my minor being pre-law to become a police officer. After a few years on the force, I met Bugs and we married, but I kept my maiden name of Bunnee in order to separate myself at least slightly from Bugs's limelight.
"When I finally was able to become a detective, I was thrilled to be able to work with detective Wilde-"
"Could you please just call him Nick." finally interrupts a slightly irritated Judy. "We're all grown does here, we're all adults, so please just call Nick by his name."
"Fine," retorts Lola "I was happy to be partnered up with Nick, since he has probably the best reputation on the force. I was naturally a bit concerned when he lost his parents, although when he disappeared I wasn't too worried since he's done that before. When the chief told me that Nick had been in an accident, but was okay and had requested my involvement in a possible rape case I was intrigued."
Just then, a light tapping at the door interrupted the goings-on.
"Excuse us," says one of two pronghorn antelope buck attendants, "but we're here to take a Nicholas Wilde to radiology …?"
With almost everyone in the room looking on in confusion, Debra speaks up. "Yeah, my bad. In the heat of the moment with all that's been going on this morning, I kinda forgot that I had scheduled Nick for a CT scan to see how well his bones were knitting. Sorry?"
"That's okay." admits Darci "I really need to get down to rehab anyway, I'm sure I have a few patients waiting for me by now."
"And Judith and I-" begins Lola.
"Please call me Judy…" interrupts a still irritated Judy – again.
"Judy then…" concedes Lola, huffing lightly. "Judy and I need a few private moments alone anyway."
"If y'all will give the attendants a few minutes, they need to prep Nick for his scan." Debra informs Judy and Lola.
Seeing the questioning looks that she's getting, especially from Judy and Lola, Deb expands on her statement: "They need to drain Nick's catheter bag, let him use the bed pan, then clean him up. So, unless the both of you" still addressing the other two does, especially Judy "want a very unpleasant floor show, I'd suggest that you use the smokers lounge, or at least step out of the room while Nick is readied to be wheeled out to radiology. You can reenter the room while his bedding is being changed if you so wish, otherwise … out!"
…
After standing quietly in the hallway for several minutes, the two does get ready to reenter the room after the attendants wheel Nick out of his room, followed closely by Debra.
Giving her fox a quick hug and kiss on the cheek (hard to tell exactly who's benefit that was for) Judy and Lola reenter his room.
"Look," begins Lola "we kinda got off on the wrong paw for some reason. I understand that you're quite obviously in love with Nick and I don't blame you for being … possessive and maybe even a slight bit jealous. If I perceived someone as a threat to my relationship with Bugs, I'd be upset too. I guess the fact that another rabbit doe is his partner complicates things, but I can assure you that Nick and I are partners in police work only." finally offering the smaller doe her paw.
Taking the larger does paw for a quick (and slightly apologetic) pawshake, Judy is finally at least partially able to come to grips with the fact that Lola is NOT a threat to her budding relationship with Nick.
"Sorry … Nick's my first real relationship … my first real boyfriend, so I was kinda…"
"I get it," interrupts Lola politely "so how about we put all of this all behind us and get down to it. Chief Bogo relayed to me that Nick was concerned about the future wellbeing of you and your kits."
Noting Judy's apparent confusion, she continues "To be more specific, Nick wants me to find the biological father of the kits, and make sure that he won't return at a later date and attempt to take custody of them, or try to blackmail you for custody or a large monetary settlement. I'm to make sure, by whatever means necessary, short of killing the mammal, that this buck, whoever he is, will be more than willing to sign over any and all parental rights that he may have to the kits, so neither you, Nick nor the kits have to deal with him in the future."
Breathing a sigh of relief and deflating a bit, Judy finally understands.
"Again, sorry about earlier, but like I said, Nick's my first real boyfriend."
"With all of that behind us, let's get down to business." indicates Lola, first producing a note pad and pen, then laying a voice recorder down on the rolling table/tray and turning it on. "Let's start with the basics. If I'm to understand correctly miss Hopps (again using Judy's given name due to this being an official statement), you had gone clubbing after being accepted into the next intake of the ZPA, is that correct?"
"Y-yes, that's correct."
"And you believe that this unknown buck may have slipped some sort of date rape drug into one of your drinks, is that correct?" asks the doe, jotting everything down on the note pad.
"Yes."
"Can you describe this buck, at least to the best of your recollection please?"
Giving the request a few moments thought, Judy begins: "He seemed roughly my height, athletic build, even though it seemed like he was trying to hide it by wearing a cheap, ill-fitting black suit. White shirt, open at the collar, black tie pulled loose, nasty smelling perfume of some sort …"
"Hold on a sec please-" interrupts Lola, raising her pen. "You said that you think he was trying to hide his physique? Why would you even notice that?"
"I've been training for years to be able to get into to the ZPA. I have degrees in criminal psychology, pre-law and forensic psychology among others. Even without thinking about it, I always look for that kinda stuff." Judy admits defensively.
"Okay, I meant no disrespect, it's just that most mammals don't ever think about noticing things like that. You also mentioned a nasty perfume which was most likely pheromone laced … was there anything else that you might have noticed? Tattoos, or-"
"Ummm … now that you mention it, he looked to be wearing a really bad fur dye job. Light to medium brown, darkening as it went higher on his body and ears. But it really looked like he was trying to hide tattoos or markings or something …"
"What sort of tattoos or markings?"
"Ummmm … horizontal stripes across his face and ears? I think? Maybe? It was really hard to tell for sure how many in the dim lights of the club ... What?" asks Judy seeing the look of disbelief on the taller does face.
"I don't believe it!" admits a slightly astonished Lola "You may have just help to solve a large number of date rape cases from here to greater Zootopia. Without giving out too much sensitive information let me explain … detective Wilde and I have been working off and on on a serial rapist case that's been ongoing for a couple of years. While we've had a few leads and a good hunch or two, up to now we haven't had anything solid to go on. Most victims, all rabbit or hare does, have absolutely no recollection of their attacker's appearance."
"And this helps, how?" asks Judy.
"The mammal in question, at least the mammal who is our most likely suspect, is a disgraced ZIA agent code named Jack Savage (yes, I know – she gave out the potential suspect's name). Former special agent Savage, no one outside the agency knows his real name and the agency refuses to give us his real name, seems hell bent on spreading his 'legacy' as he calls it (Lola using air quotes). This piece of work has managed to impregnate dozens of rabbit and hare does over the past few years. With the information that you've provided, I can hopefully hunt this asshole down and at least lock him up for the rest of his natural life."
"But, how will that help me, and eventually my … and hopefully eventually Nick's kits?" asks Judy "I'm just guessing here, but if he's able, I think Nick has every intention of adopting my kits and loving them as his own."
"First, that absolutely sounds like detective Wilde." immediately answers Lola "Next, thanks to the military experience and street creds that Nick has gained over the years and passed on to me through our partnership on the force, I've learned a few tactics … some subtle and some not so subtle, to work with. Trust me when I tell you that when I'm through with Savage, I'm sure that he'll much rather sign off on giving up any and all parental rights, than to have to face Wilde one on one."
"Well, I certainly hope so."
"I guess my next step is to go to the club that you frequented to try to get more information from the proprietors and possibly other patrons…" suggests Lola, leaving the hint open ended.
"That – that would be The Burrow." timidly supplies Judy "Dumb name, but considering where it is, I guess it fits."
With that, Lola leaves Judy and heads to her recently rented motel room to do some prep work for her upcoming interviews (interrogations) with club owners and patrons later in the day when the club opens for business.
…
With a bit of time to herself, Judy reflects on her visit with Lola. 'Why am I annoyed with myself for being jealous of the very attractive hare doe or rather … but then again why would I not? But … on the other paw … after never really having a boyfriend, and with this being in my first real relationship, one that I never in a million years would have anticipated having, why would I not be annoyed? Like I told Lola, no one had ever been as kind or thoughtful or supportive of me in the past as Nick has been in the short time that I've known him. Maybe things are going a bit too quickly? … But on the other paw, what ulterior motive could Nick possibly have for showing an interest in me other than actually being attracted to me as a female, species be damned? Maybe I'm attractive to some males … but with me already being pregnant, he's got to know that he'll be helping to raise some other buck's kits … plus he already knows that I'm practically destitute without his help …'
Just then, Judy hears a gurney being wheeled down the hallway, interrupting her more or less self-depreciating train of thought. Seeing the hugely grinning todd, the doe's spirits seem to be lifted at least a bit.
Following Nick and the attendants into the room, Judy watches Nick being carefully transferred onto his freshly made bed, grin still attached.
"I really can't believe how well your fox has managed to heal!" Judy hears Debra remark as her sister enters the room. "He's managed to do around two months of healing in just over a week! Muscle damage is almost totally healed, his joint separations are doing well, and the broken bones are knitting nicely. At the current rate, your fox will be on his feet and out of here long before you graduate from the Academy!"
Casting a hopeful glance at Nick, Judy is met with a full-on smirk.
"What Nick?" she asks.
"Looks like you're gonna be kinda busy in the near future."
"Really, why?" asks the now confused doe.
"Well," begins the todd "even though you've made no mention of seeing an ob/gyn yet, we both know that that's got to be at the top of your to-do list. You're gonna need to get your stuff for your trip to the Academy, and you might want to at least scout out a place for us to live when you graduate and I'm otta here. A house or apartment with at least 2 bedrooms and at least a little bit of a yard for the kits when they get old enough."
"JUDY!" interrupts a horrified Debra "you still haven't seen an ob/gyn?"
Frustrated, Judy has only one thing to offer in her defense "Look, it's been so crazy lately that I haven't had the time or forethought to do it. Besides, I wouldn't have any idea who to go to since we've always had someone in the warren to go to."
"You know that I can't recommend anyone," Deb reminds her sister "but there are a number of good ob/gyn practitioners both in the hospital and around the Tri-Burrows in general. On the other paw, Darci might be able to point you in the right direction if you asked her."
"Well, that'll be one item off my list…" begins Judy.
"And with the use of your own car, getting your gear for the Academy and finding a place shouldn't be too difficult." adds Nick.
Blinking rapidly, Judy comes to the sudden realization of what Nick just said "My own car … my own car …"
"Yeah, you know, the car that Finn said that he dropped off earlier … remember?" snarks Nick "Take one set of keys that are on the bedside stand and do what you need to do. It's a whiteish '66 Barracuda, but be careful 'cause it's got a built up V-8 in it. You can drive a manual transmission right?"
"Of course I can, dumb fox," replies the doe taking said keys "I was raised on a farm. All of the cars, trucks and equipment are manual except for mom's van and the buses."
"Busses?" asks a now curious Nick, cocking his head to one side in confusion.
"Yes, busses. Oh, I guess I never mentioned that I have 175 brothers and sisters did I?" Judy snarks back.
"…"
Seeing the todd's blank stare, Judy has to giggle "Hey, we're rabbits, multiplication is kinda our thing…"
"175 … damn …" a still incredulous Nick repeats as he gives his doe a blank stare.
"Anyway, I guess I'll head down to rehab and see if Darci can come up with a few suggestions for a good ob/gyn."
~0~
AN: *According to Wikipedia - Bugs Bunny's real name is George Washington Bunny. A fun but otherwise useless fact.
Yep, the character that everyone loves to hate, Jack Savage is back, and still a bad guy.
