15 Home Again, Home Again

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Yet another longer chapter, and another longer than expected wait between postings. Enjoy!

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As tired as she was, and as comfortable as the bed seemed, (slightly a bit harder mattress than she's used to, but it's Nick's after all) Judy can't seem to fall asleep.

After roughly 45 minutes of tossing and turning, a still very tired doe sits on the edge of her betrothed's bed, trying to figure out why she can't fall asleep, which is not normally an issue.

Just then, her attention is drawn to her phone charging on the nightstand close by, as it lights up and chimes, signaling an incoming text.

Picking up the device, Judy reads the message, knowing that it can only be coming from one of three or four other mammals. Of course it's Nick.

'R U 'sleep?' it reads.

Instead of sending an answering text, Judy pushes the 'dial number' icon.

"Nick … is everything … okay?" she asks, trying not to panic.

"Yeah, I'm fine, no problems. I just got the strangest feeling that you were still up and not able to sleep. The question is are you okay?" comes the return question.

"Yeah … no … I don't know? …" comes her honest answer.

"What's up Fluff? … Judy, you know you can tell me anything … right?"

"I … I honestly don't know Nick. I'm tired, worn out physically and mentally from … well pretty much everything that's happened lately, but I just can't manage to fall asleep. The bed's fine and I guess Fangmeyer, that's her name right? I guess she must've changed the sheets because they smell freshly laundered, but I just can't manage to get to sleep."

After a few moments of silence from the other end, Nick has a suggestion.

"Tell you what … I know that you said that Wolfie and Liz helped you pack up some of my clothes, but if you go to the closet, I think that there's an old ZPA t-shirt that I wore for like an hour in the garage before I … started my little … trek."

Getting down of the bed, Judy plods over to the closet and opens the bifold doors. Spotting a slightly rumpled bright blue ZPA t-shirt, she asks "I found it, now what?"

"Since I'm not sure if you sleep in the fur-"

"NICK!"

"Oooor a night shirt" as the todd quickly continues "or whatever. Try putting the t-shirt on and take a few deep calming breaths."

After a bit of hesitation, Judy manages to take a short hop and grab the mentioned item, pulling it off the thin metal hanger.

Pulling the previously worn item over her usual sleep attire (bra and panties), Judy take a couple of deep calming breaths and immediately notices that she's calmer and is about to ask a question when-

"Feelin' better Fluff?" comes from her phone.

"Matter of fact, yeah, I am. What …"

"I thought that maybe you were missing a certain charmin' todd," (as Judy rolls her eyes) "and that maybe my scent would help put you at ease in an unfamiliar place."

'SIGH' "Yeah, it did … thanks Nick. and … if you don't mind … can … can I keep the shirt? If not, I understand, and-"

"It's fine Fluff, I can get more whenever I need 'em. I am, or at least have been, a part-time paw-to-paw and tactics instructor at the academy."

"Umm …"

"I doubt if I'll be there anytime soon, considering my current physical status and with my transfer to the Tri-Burrow Sheriff's Office and such, so I doubt if you'll see me in a professional status until we're both on the job."

"Okay, good to know." 'YAWN' "I've got a few questions-"

"That can wait until tomorrow or whenever." interrupts the todd. "Get some sleep, and you can call in the morning. Call anytime, it's not like I'll be going anywhere for the next few days at least."

"Fine, I guess that'll work. G'nite Nick … I love you, you know that, right?"

"Do I know that? Yes, yes I do. And I love you too Judy. I'll talk to you in the morning."

Ending the call, a very tired doe, slips back into bed and falls asleep almost immediately.

Waking around 5:30 (her usual get-up time) Judy performs her daily ritual, including grabbing a quick second shower, just in case, and decides to check her wardrobe to try to decide what to wear to turn in Nick's stuff to Chief Bogo.

As the now naked doe passes the full-length mirror in the closet door, she notices a bit of a … bump … "Damn … starting to show a little already! Maybe if I wear something other than my jeans and plaid shirt ….."

Still standing before the mirror, Judy riffles her fur from her belly to just under her petite breasts "Well," she thinks "at least my extra breasts haven't started to make their appearance … yet. Hopefully they'll hold off until I at least get through the Academy …"

Disappointment reigns as she checks the outside temperature on her phone "Drat … only 19 degrees out! I guess it's gonna be jeans and my usual button-up plaid shirt."

Just then, her phone signals an incoming call, startling her and causing her to almost drop her phone.

"H'llo?"

"Fluff … are you okay?" asks a slightly concerned Nick.

"Yeah, I was just checking the temperature outside on my phone when you called and it kinda spooked me … sorry."

"As long as you're okay, I guess it's no big deal. Anyway … there are a couple of reasons why I called. First, I'm pretty sure that there isn't much left to eat, and what is there needs to stay cold. If you go out into the garage, there are several coolers. Pick a small one and get a couple of gel packs out of the freezer, put what food is left in the cooler and put the gel packs on top, then put the cooler in the trunk of the GOAT."

"GOAT? What goat? What are you even talking about?" asks the now puzzled doe.

Clearly amused, Nick tries to explain the term without actually laughing. "Okay Fluff, sorry. For whatever reason, a GTO is commonly referred to as a GOAT. I don't know why, but it is."

Again rolling her eyes, Judy tries to keep the conversation on track "Okay, fine. What else, dumb fox?"

"Well, for one thing you'll probably need the keys. If you go back out to the kitchen, there's a small white board for leaving messages …"

"Okay …" she says as she locates the item.

"Place a paw on the right side of the board and pull it gently towards you."

Doing as instructed, Judy is amazed to see the small message board swing open, revealing a set of hooks, with several holding various sets of keys.

"Huh! … how about that!" was all she could muster.

"Yeah, way cool huh? Anyway, there should be at least 2 sets of keys there for the GOAT, grab 'em both. I always try to carry 2 set with me, just in case I manage to lock one set inside the car."

"Okay, what else?"

"Well, if you haven't eaten yet-"

"I'm not really hungry, to be honest." comes the slightly embarrassed admission.

"Judy," he quickly interrupts "it doesn't matter if you're hungry or not, you're eating for five now. You need to start remembering that … please!"

"I know … sorry …" sighs the now partially despondent doe.

"Judy, listen," as Nick hopes to avert a mental crisis from the doe. "part of my responsibility as a good mate is to help you to take care of yourself and our kits. I know that you'll do the same for me when the situation warrants. Okay? You good now?"

…. "Yeah, I think so … thanks. I could really use a good hug about now." she admits.

"I know sweetheart, me too. We'll just have to make up for lost time when you get back."

"O-okay. That sounds … nice."

"Back to the subject at paw … have you eaten this morning?"

"N-no, not yet …"

"When you get ready to head out to the precinct, go up the street in the direction that you were headed when you and Shifu arrived. There'll be an old-fashioned diner on the left side of the street, stop there and get some breakfast. I'll call ahead and let them know that you're coming. The folks and I used to eat there all the time, so I know they'll treat you right."

"Nick? …"

"It's okay Fluff, I have a purpose in life now … you and the kits … our kits, to look after. I'm fine, I promise. After you eat you can go to the precinct. There's a GPS unit in the GOAT, and the address is locked in, all you need to do is call it up and you'll, be fine. When you get there, you can park in front of the building in one of the ZPD only spots if you want. Everyone knows the car and there's actually a special sticker on the windshield as well as military handicapper tags. Trust me, no one will bat an eye. Call me after you get to the precinct, I'll make sure you get in to see the chief without any undue delays … like a certain overemotional and easily excitable Cheetah at the front desk."

"Well … if you're sure … I really don't wanna lose you because of something as simple as that."

"I wouldn't have suggested it if it wasn't okay, okay?" comes the gentle reply. "Anyway, I'll hang up and let you get going, just … be careful and stay safe. I don't think I could stand it if I lost you and the kits …"

"I promise. Love you, see you soon …"

"Love you too …"

As Judy breaks the connection, she can't help but shed a single tear – here is a male, not of her species, that has shown more love and compassion towards her and her unborn kits, kits conceived as a result of a single case of poor judgement on her part, than the mammal who she thought was her father for over 20 years of her life.

After making a quick tour of the small dwelling to make sure she hadn't forgotten anything (and finding a pair of panties in the dryer that she'd missed), she jotted down a few notes for questions to ask Nick and headed to the car.

Beforte starting the GTO, Judy looked around for a remote of some sort to open the garage door, and found 2 attached to the sun visor above the driver's seat.

Pressing the first remote several times seemed to do nothing so she tried the second.

When the garage door started to open she noticed through the rear-view mirror that the gate across the driveway was closing.

It then dawned on the doe that the first remote had to be for that gate, while the second was for the garage door. That made sense knowing Nick.

Starting the car and allowing it to warm up for a few minutes, Judy found the GPS and programmed in the address for Precinct One, already knowing the address by heart.

As Judy backs the beautifully restored car out of the garage, she first presses the remote to open the gate, and at the same time presses the other remote to close the garage door.

After backing onto the street, Judy closes the gate (making sure it's fully closed before leaving) then proceeds up the street, noting a small diner, proudly proclaiming itself to be 'Mel's' coming into view almost immediately.

Pulling into the small lot, Judy parks noting two other small to medium cars already occupying spaces.

As the young doe enters the eatery, as small bell jingles alerting the employees to her presence.

"Be right with ya Hun …" comes from a vixen, who has her back to the service area as she checks an order at the kitchen window.

When the vixen turns with two paws full of food, she shoots Judy a pleasant smile and sets the food down in front of the badger sitting at the counter.

Returning to the window, the vixen grabs a large platter and moves to set it down in front of the zebra mare two spaces down from the badger.

As the two aforementioned customers engage in polite conversation (somewhat amazing Judy) the vixen's attention is turned to the newest customer.

"What kin I git ya Hun?" comes the pleasantly polite query.

"Well, umm, Nick Wilde sent me here, and I-"

"Wait … y-you must be … Judy?" stammers the slightly confused question "Nick called a few minutes ago and told me that a grey bunny named Judy would be stopping in. I'm sorry I was kinda looking for somebunny …"

Taller?" comes the mirthful question.

"Ummm, yeah? Kinda? I mean, Nick and his partner on the force used to stop by on a more or less regular basis, so I kinda figured …"

"That maybe this Judy that Nick mentioned might be one of Lola's sisters or something?"

"Exactly …"

Giving the as yet unnamed vixen an understanding smile and a gentle laugh, Judy tells here "I understand. I've met Lola and can see where you might think that."

"OH! Where are my manners?" suddenly exclaims the vixen "I'm Alice and the grump behind the counter is Mel."

"I heard that, and I ain't no grump!" comes the slightly muffled reply.

"Pay him no never mind Hun. What can I get ya?"

Picking up a menu, Judy is slightly amazed to see the diversity of the items, both pred and prey, that's offered.

"Ummm, the breakfast bake, with shredded potatoes and veggies looks good, and could I get a small side order of sorghum with some Jasmine tea to drink please?"

When Judy looks up, the slightly confused look on Alice's face begs for an explanation. "It's … complicated? If you have few minutes I can explain."

"Only if ya want to Hun, I try not ta pry inta things that ain't none of my business ..."

"I don't mind, honestly."

"Okay. Lemme give Mel yer order an' I'll be right back."

By the time Judy's order is ready, she has given Alice a quick rundown of the last several week's events, and what has led her to be in Zootopia at the present time.

"My word … and Nick is all right with everythin'? That's amazing!" as Alice retrieves Judy's meal.

"Seems like. And knowing Nick for even such a short time, I'm afraid that as soon as he's released from the hospital, he's going to go after the buck that's responsible for my current … situation."

Seeing Alice trying to form a comment, Judy quickly adds "Nick has already promised both Lola and I that he won't actually kill the buck unless it's absolutely a matter of life or death for him."

"Judy honey," begins Alice after yet another moment's thought "there are actually fates worse than death, especially for someone as despicable as the mammal that you're talking about."

Noting a lack of understanding on the doe's face, Alice continues "Putting yerself in this other mammal's place, kin ya imagine what it'd be like ta be paralyzed from the neck down for the rest or yer life? Or mebe missin' a limb er two, er three? Or be permanently blind? I've knowed Nick all of his life, and I kin assure ya that he's quite capable of all of that … an' more."

Seeing the look of absolute horror on Judy's face, Alice finishes "Look, ah'm not sayin' thet Nick 'll actually do any of thet, just that he kin. Look, ah don't know whut Nick's told ya, but I'm his auntie … ah'm Marion's younger sister, an' probably the only livin' relative lef' on his momma's side."

With only a few bites of her breakfast left uneaten, Judy suddenly has no will to finish what's left on her plate.

"Judy, Nick's typical of a red fox todd in some respects – family means everythin' ta him. When Johnathan and Marion passed, Nick was lost and on a path of self destruction. He had no reason to live. You gave him a reason. Don't waste that, please. Nick 'll do anything it takes to protect you and yer kits, whether it's to take a life or to give up his own. That's what Nick has done all of his adult life. That's who Nick Wilde is. Selfless to a fault"

"Alice … th-thanks for everything. The meal," as she reaches for her small wallet "the information, all of it."

Gently taking Judys much smaller (and trembling) paw in her own much larger one, Alice tells her "No Judy, thank you. Thank you for saving Nick. the world is a much better place with him, and you, in it. and your money is no good here. We never charge family here."

Giving the vixen a tearful smile, Judy suddenly reaches out and draws the much larger female into a tight hug.

Then, quickly getting down from the counter, Judy heads for the door and the two females exchange knowing nods of the head.

Getting into the GTO again, Judy starts the car and again waits a few minutes for it to warm up.

Following the GPS to the precinct, the short 20-minute trip goes without incident, and the doe observes several parking spots right in front of the massive building.

After hesitation for only a few seconds, Judy pulls the car into a 'ZPD ONLY' spot and exits the vehicle, noticing a few officers with slightly confused looks on their faces.

As the doe opens the passenger side door to retrieve Nick's messenger bag, a familiar voice greets her.

"Mind if I lend a paw?"

Turning, Judy notices the only other grey and white doe (to her knowledge) that has been a part of her future mates life to this point.

"Morning Lola!" greets the younger doe "If you don't mind …"

"Not a problem. Good to see you again Judy. You're here to turn in Nicks files and laptop I see."

"Yeah, I guess he's gonna turn in the rest of his stuff after he's released from the hospital."

"Makes sense. I doubt if they'll let you into the male's locker room to get his stuff. Besides, ya never know exactly what a mammal might find in a male's locker …" adds the larger doe, smirk fully in place.

Failing to hide a blush, Judy simply nods in agreement.

"Here-" prompts the larger doe as she paws Judy a set of earplugs.

"What are these for?"

"Just put them on and you'll find out." Lola tells Judy as she hefts the large messenger bag.

Doing as she's told, Judy follows Lola into the large lobby of the ZPD.

As the pair of does enter the lobby, they are instantly assaulted by an earsplitting "EEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"

And just as suddenly "CLAWHAUSER!" comes front the third-floor balcony.

Clamping both meaty paws over his mouth, a certain overly plump cheetah turns a brilliant shade of red.

Removing her earplugs, Lola advances steadily to the receptionist desk and stares at the now fearful occupant.

Reaching over and pulling the feline closer by grasping his tie, Lola keeps eye-to-eye contact and asks "What have I told you about that Benjamin?"

"Ummm … to not to?"

"And?"

"Sorry, I'm sorry, but seeing you and another bunny that looks so much like you, and you look so cute that-"

"And exactly what have I told you about using the word cute?"

"I-I-I-I'm sorry detective I thought that you and your sister were-"

"My sister? Really Benjamin?" comes the disbelieving question.

"….."

"Bunnee leave Clawhauser alone and show Hopps to my office … NOW!" comes Bogo's deep voice yet again.

Releasing Clawhauser, Lola starts towards the elevators with Judy in tow.

Looking back over her shoulder, Lola tells Ben "I'm not finished with you Clawhauser …!"

As the pair enter the elevator, Judy has to ask "What was all that about? I mean, I think you scared three lives out of that poor feline!"

Punching '3' on the board, Lola explains "Clawhauser gets so overly excited when he sees certain things that he lets out that blood curdling screech that you heard. Certain officers and several civilians have needed to visit the ER with hearing related issues because of it. And I doubt if I need to explain the use of cute."

"Yeah, no, that one I get." Judy admits.

Exiting the elevator, Judy sees the closed door straight across the hallway that reads 'Chief Adrian Bogo'.

When Lola taps lightly on the door, the does hear "Enter!"

Entering the office, Judy immediately notices that the office is relatively spartan, yet cluttered at the same time, with a single oversized chair facing the chief's desk.

"Detective, I will need a word with you before the end of the day. Until then, you may go down to your desk and assist Silverstien with finishing yesterday's reports. Any questions?"

"No sir." comes the curt answer, and with that Lola places the messenger bag containing Nick's case files and laptop on the chief's desk and leaves the room closing the door behind her.

"Have a seat Hopps." Prompts Bogo. indicating the vastly oversized chair.

As Judy climbs onto th chair, Bogo rises from his chair and moves to the front of the desk ad sits on the front edge crossing his arms in front of his massive chest.

"I know you probably think I was a bit harsh on Bunnee, but let me explain." he begins. "Back in the day, Clawhauser was as good a beat cop as any I've ever known. One day while on patrol, a drunk driver broadsided the cruiser he was riding in. Ben was messed up to the point that he would never be physically able to pass the fitness tests and Mammal Resources was simply going to give him a medical pension and push him out the door.

"The chief at the time, Burghoff was his name, was a firm but kind-hearted soul. Anyway, Burghoff talked MR into letting Ben stay around and handle reception and dispatch. Everything had been going smoothly until we started getting smaller officers in the precinct, and as the resident gossip, Ben started getting carried away, emotionally. While Clawhauser is excellent at dispatch, you've witnessed how carried away he can get at the reception desk."

"Three of the current conference rooms are currently being renovated to be the new bullpen area, and the current bullpen will be turned into an updated dispatch center complete with enough staff to handle the workload, with Ben receiving a promotion to sergeant and will be in command of the unit."

As Judy begins to raise a paw, Bogo continues "Don't worry too much about my statement to Bunnee. At least once or twice a week I have to have a session with any number of officers about going off on Clawhauser. I chew them out, tell them if it happens again I'll drop a permanent letter of reprimand in their jackets, and conveniently forget to do just that.

"So, if there's nothing else, I have a few forms for you to look over and sign … you are still planning on marrying Wilde, right?" as the large bull sets a steely gaze on the doe.

"Y-yes sir!"

"Good. The forms are simply a continuation of what Nick started when we first talked in the hospital, insurance forms, emergency contact number and the like. I'll give you a few minutes to look them over, and then you may ask any questions about anything you're either not sure of or are uncomfortable with. Just a quick note; you might mention to that clown that you two need to be legally wed before he officially resigns from the ZPD, or transfers as it were, for the insurance to stay valid."

"Ummm, I really wasn't expecting that, but okay, thanks chief."

Several minutes later, Judy begins reading and signing the various forms "I don't see any problems here," she remarks "the forms are basically the same as the ones I had to sign to attend the academy. The only difference is adding Nick as my emergency contact rather than Stu."

Noting the slightly confused look on the bulls face, Judy tells him "My mother recently confessed to having an affair, and I and the rest of my litter were the result of that affair. That's why the mammal that I called father for most of my life tossed me completely out of his life."

"I'm … sorry to hear that Hopps, I truly am."

"I know chief, but now I have Nick and I know that Nick will do right by me, no matter what."

"If I know Wilde like I think I do, you are one hundred percent correct. Now, if there's nothing else I can do for you, you are free to go. I might suggest that you stop by the detectives squad room and say your goodbyes to Bunnee, and the cubicle farm to give your regards to Wolford and Fangmeyer. I heard that they did a fair job at making you comfortable yesterday and last night."

"That they did chief, that they did." remarks the doe as she hops down from the chair and makes her way to the door.

"Take a right turn after you exit the elevator on the first floor." Bogo tells her "The detectives bay will be halfway down the hall on your right and the regular squad bay will be across the hall from that."

"Thanks again chief for … everything."

Exiting the elevator on the first floor, Judy makes her way to the detectives bay, where she immediately sees Lola and a silver fox todd talking together.

"Hey Lola!" begins the smaller doe, immediately noticing the todd's eyes bouncing from doe to doe.

"If you're smart, you'll keep whatever you're thinking to yourself …" Lola cautions the todd.

"I just popped in to tell you thanks for everything." begins Judy "The groundwork on my case, the chewsticks, the friendship as short as it's been, all of it!"

"No problem. Look, I know we got off to a kind of a rough start, but, things eventually worked out."

"Yeah, sorry about the whole jealousy thing."

"I told you before, I understand, and we does need to stick together, especially with males like Wilde around!"

"He's definitely one of a kind … I don't know what I'd 've done without him."

"I'm sure you'd have managed. So … how're things?"

"Well … I found out what that … asshole … sister of mine was talking about. It seems like my mom had an affair, my litter was the end result of that affair, Stu found out about it and waited all this time to use it against me."

"Really? Wow!"

"I know, right? Anyway, things are moving on and I'm heading back to the Tri-Burrows as soon as I stop by and visit with Wolford and Fangmeyer for a few."

Gathering the smaller doe up into a typical bunny hug, Lola whispers, "Give that big dummy my thanks for everything that he's done for Buggs and myself please."

"I can do that!" Judy whispers back.

After breaking the hug, Judy makes her way across the hall to the cubicles where the patrol officers desks are and thankfully misses a short but heated conversation between Lola and her new charge.

"So," snarks the todd "that's the best that the great Nick Wilde could do for a mate? OWWWW!"

Still holding and twisting the todd's ear, Lola leaves him with a terse warning "Listen and listen good Steve … you have no idea what either of those two mammals have gone through in life, not everyone was born with a silver spoon in their mouth like you were. Wilde was abused as a kit and shot up several times in the military. You heard some of Judy's issues, so I'll leave you with a bit of information and some advice … I'm not the only mammal around here that owes Nick Wilde a huge debt of thanks, not only for my position, but for my, and our" as she looks around the room, noticing that a lot of eyes and ears were focused on the two of them at this moment "very lives. Trust me when I tell you that you do not want to make enemies either here or across the hall, and especially not of Bogo himself. Do I make myself clear?"

"Y-yes ma'am, perfectly clear." admits the now properly chastised todd.

"Now, if we're done here, I'm expected back in Bogo's office for a bit of an ass chewing. These reports better be finished by the time I get back, because the chief's probably finished looking over Wilde's case files and we're going to need to go over them and do some perp chasing. Got it?"

"Yes ma'am."

Entering the cubicle farm, Judy can't see her intended targets, so she asks a porcupine office where they might be.

Not at all sure who Judy is or why she's looking for the pair for, the officer stalls for a few seconds until a burley rhino intercedes.

"You're Judy … Nick Wilde's fiancé, right?" he asks.

"That's right, and you are?"

"Names Brian McHorn. I've known Wilde since he started here. matter of fact, I was his TO (Training Officer).

"Pleased to meet you officer McHorn." says Judy as she puts out a tiny paw for a pawshake.

Choosing to do a makeshift fist bump due to the immense size difference, McHorn smiles at the tiny doe.

"The honor is mine. Nick's a real stand-up fella, I doubt if you could find a better mammal for a prospective mate. I, ummm heard you were looking for Wolfie and Fangs."

Seeing the confusion on the doe's face, he clarifies "That would be Wolford and Fangmeyer."

"Oh, I see … yeah I can see why you'd give them those nicknames. Yes, I wanted to thank them for meeting me at Nick's place when I arrived in town yesterday, they were very helpful. Do you have any idea where they might be?"

Wearing a bit of an evil grin, McHorn imparts a well-known secret to the doe "Unless I miss my guess, they're probably in the janitor's closet making out … again!"

Stunned, Judy can only stare open mouthed at the megafauna. "W-what? But … why …? Never mind … umm-"

"Wanna have a bit of fun at their expense? It's something that Nick wouldn't hesitate at for a split second!" he suggests.

"Like what … exactly?" asks the now curious doe.

As Judy is led to the closet, she can pick up some rustling sounds with her radar dish like ears.

"Are they … you know?"

"More than likely, yup." McHorn answers, grinning from ear to ear.

"So …?"

"Just bang on the door real hard and in a loud voice yell 'Vice raid!' and wait for the fun to begin!"

Taking a moment to thing it over, Judy has to admit that this is something that Nick would probably do, so-

Standing next to the door, Judy pounds on the door three times and yells 'Vice Raid!' like she was told and hurriedly steps back away from the door, just in case it would swing open forcefully.

More rustling ensued, along with a crash and some curses that Judy had never heard, and two disheveled mammals stumble out of the closet.

With the entire squad room in an uproar, two panicked mammals look for the culprit, and immediately focus on the smallest mammal in the room – Judy.

"Judy, really?" accuses Fangmeyer.

"You two really need to get a room … well a different one than the one that you were just using!" Judy tells them. "Look, I'm sorry, but it was just too good to pass up!"

When the feline suddenly advances on the much smaller mammal, Judy couldn't help but worry … until Liz picks her up and gives her a sisterly hug.

"It's ok Judy, really. I guess that we as a couple are the worst kept secret in the precinct."

"I'll be heading back home in a few minutes. I really stopped by to tell the both of you thanks for helping me yesterday before I left."

"We were glad to help." admits Mike. "Any friend of Nick's is a friend of ours … or whatever…"

"Mike …" begins Liz "shut it!"

"Yes ma'am!" comes the slightly teasing reply.

Waving good-bye to the entire squad room, Judy makes her way to the front lobby, where she suddenly remembers that she'll need to go past the chubby cheetah on her way out.

As she enters the lobby, she makes eye contact with Clawhauser. Putting on a 'Don't try me' face and pointing 2 fingers first at her eyes and then at Clawhauser, Judy walks (seemingly) calmly to the front doors.

Once out of the precinct, Judy enters the GTO and starts the classic and lets it warm up for her trip home.

Taking note of the fuel gauge, Judy stops at a service station 'why do they call them that when no real services are provided?' she wonders as she tops of the tank with premium fuel.

With the radio set on an oldies station playing songs that she heard her parent(s?) listening to when she was just a kit, Judy concentrates on driving, not wanting to have yet another incident on the highway.

Pulling into the parking lot at Tri-Burrows Memorial, Judy hurriedly turns off the car, locks it and literally runs into the building and up the stairs (the elevator was going to be way too slow for her liking) into Nick's room, where she finds her mother, Darci and Debra in conference with Nick.

"What's going on here?" she asks, slightly out of breath, and a bit perturbed to find that Nick was not alone like she was hoping/planning.

"Well" begins Bonnie "it seems like Nicholas here received a phone call from his boss in Zootopia, and was informed that you two kind of needed to be married so his insurance would continue to cover you. We were waiting for you to show up so we could finish last minute plans for your wedding!"

"What?"

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AN: I'm still not getting reviews from fanfiction, although I do notice that the view count is going up.