17 Hunting A Savage Hare Pt. 1
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So, I managed to get this finished so I could post it on the day I finally made it to the 3/4 century mark. My birthday present to y'all!
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Sunday evening at 4:55pm, a very worn-out fox todd and bunny doe couple appears in front of the third-floor head nurses desk at Tri-Burrow Memorial.
"Well, I see you two managed to make it on time … just barely." smirks a certain red fox vixen.
"Under protest …" quietly replies the rabbit doe.
"It looks like Nick is in good enough shape to make it to the ZPA academy and back without too much trouble, so I guess you two can go ahead and make your way to academy. I was told to remind Nick that he still has to be back here by eight or else!" Trixie tells the pair.
"Yeah, yeah, we've got it, okay?" replies Judy a bit surly.
"Fluff, it's okay, she's just reminding us, you know that. Darci and Deba are the ones who set the time, and they didn't even need to do that."
"I know, it's just …"
"We've still got several hours to be together, sort of, but we really need to get moving so you're not late reporting in at the academy."
*HEAVY SIGH* I guess …"
With that, the couple heads back down and prepare to head down the road.
Managing a slightly tearful hug and kiss, Nick and Judy each get into a separate car. With Nick in the GTO and Judy in little 'Cuda, Judy hears her phone ring.
"Nick?"
"Yeah, I thought we could maybe talk a little while we drive, especially since both cars have paws-free connections for our phones. It won't be quite so boring and it might help take your mind off of being apart. You know how bad of a driver you are …"
"Hush you," Judy tells him with a slight chuckle "it was just that once."
"Still, better safe than sorry. do you want to lead or do you want me to?"
"Well, I guess you probably know where it is, but don't get too far ahead, ok?
"No worries. I'll make sure to keep an eye on the rear-view."
…
As the couple make their way down the highway, the small talk eventually leads to "Do you have any ideas on naming the kits?" asks Nick.
"I've been running a few through my head, but nothing solid yet. When I get farther along I'll run them by you and see what you think, okay?"
"Sounds like a plan. Okay, we need to turn right at the next intersection, then it's only a couple of miles to the academy."
…
Pulling to a stop in the designated parking lot reserved for visitors, Nick tells Judy "As you can see, the main gate is just ahead. I'll ride with you to the gate and then to the recruit parking spots."
"Okay …"
Stopping at the gate, the large Black bear guard asks for credentials and addresses the pair. "Miss Hop-excuse me, Mrs. Wilde. I see you haven't had time to get your license or ID changed yet. I think that Major Friedkin should be able to handle that in a day or so. Nick, err Detective Wilde, good to see you again. I didn't see your name on the assignment sheet, will you be instructing this intake?"
"Hello Smokey. Nope, not this time, and by the way, by the time my beautiful wife graduates, it'll just be Deputy Wilde. I'm transferring to the Tri-Burrows sheriff's department."
"I was wondering about that! Glad to see someone finally managed to reign you in, no offense."
"None taken. Well, we'd better get moving, wouldn't want Ursela to get her fur in a fluff."
After parking in the spot dedicated for new recruits, Nick and Judy make their way to the administrative office.
With the antelope doe receptionist giving the pair a bit of a side-eye, major Friedkin makes her appearance.
"Red, good to see ya. And I see you've brought me some fresh meat!" as the overly large polar bear gives Judy a bit of a malicious grin.
"Good to see you again as well major. Ursula, may I present my darling wife Judy, Judy, Major Friedkin. The good major here is the chief instructor of this charming facility."
"M-major …" stammers an unsure Judy.
"Mrs. Wilde." turning to Nick the major continues "I can assure you that I will treat Mrs. Wilde here like any other cadet under my purview Wilde." she begins "No special privileges nor will I be any harsher towards her than any of the others simply because she's you wife."
"As I would expect." responds Nick.
Kneeling to take his new bride into a highly emotional hug, Nick quietly tells her "There won't be any phone privileges for the first few days, but I'll text and leave voice mails whenever I do anything, just to keep you up to speed. If anything were to happen, the academy has systems in place to inform you, but I promise not to have to have them use them okay?"
A small nod on Judy's part indicates that she understands.
Giving his doe a light kiss between her ears, Nick stands.
"First thing tomorrow I have to convince your sisters to release me from their care. Then I need to go to the Tri-Burrow sheriff's office and give Justice a tentative start date for myself and for you, knowing that you're going to do well here. then on to Zootopia and turn in my equipment and say my final goodbyes.
"And after that?" asks Judy.
"After that, It's off to wrap up my last case. And I think I can make sure that I keep my promise to you in that regards." referring to a promise made to both Judy and Lola that he wouldn't terminate Savage unless absolutely necessary.
"Just … be careful and be sure that you come back to me, regardless … okay?" Judy pleads.
"I promise. See you soon Fluff. Love you."
"Love you too, dumb fox!"
…
As another staff member shows Judy to her barracks, Friedkin and Nick talk.
"So … you finally got hustled Wilde?"
"What can I say Ursula, she stole my heart."
"Well, all I can say is that it's about time. You needed someone like her in your life."
"Yeah, I know, but there was never anyone like her before."
"This last case of yours … I'm guessing it has something to do with the fact that she's pregnant?"
"First, your nose is too blamed good. Second, yeah it does. Lola and I had been working a serial rapist case off and on for a long time. When I found out about Judy's predicament, it just sorta clicked that she and other victims might have something in common. So I asked Adrian if he'd assign Lola to do a bit of investigating and sure enough, she found a link.
"She managed to track down the main subject, a disgraced former ZIA agent code named Jack Savage. This Savage character is a hare buck that seemed to think that he was the gods gift to all does by date raping them and getting as many of them pregnant as he could.
"Long story short, Lola found this jerk, and even though she couldn't persuade him to sign papers giving up parental rights to Judy's kits, she first name dropped me, then left him with a little going away present." he adds with a snicker.
Seeing the deadpan expression on the major's face, he finishes "She popped him with a dose of her cocktail of hormone suppressants and birth control in an implant. Suffice it to say that he won't be raping anyone for the next 5 or 6 months."
At first stunned, the major suddenly breaks into a huge grin. "That devilish doe. You did a wonderous job corrupting her. Congrats Nick, she needed that dose of Wilde cunning to make a great detective."
"Well, she'll be needing it, I tapped her to be my replacement as leader of the detective squad."
"I'd love to stand here jackjaw with you all night, but I've got a large batch of cadets to get rounded up. Take care and good hunting Wilde!"
…
After the two fist bump, Nick makes his way to the GTO.
Starting the machine and listening to the throaty sound of the unmuffled engine as it warms up, Nick reflects on his promise to the two does. He decides that there's only one way that he knows of that he can keep that promise and makes a series of calls on his drive back to the hospital.
Arriving back at the hospital in a much better frame of mind, Nick waves at both Trixie and Derpy, who for some reason, both occupy the nurses station.
"You look none the worse for wear!" smirks Trixie.
"I'll have you know that I held up my end of the affair rather well …" Nick smirks back.
"Ummm …" begins a slightly confused mare.
"It's just honeymoon night stuff Derp, just let it go, okay?" hints the vixen, with a certain mare suddenly becoming embarrassed.
"I'll just grab a fresh set of scrubs and head to bed – alone. See you tomorrow."
…
Bright and early on Monday morning, Nick awakes to the rustle of someone in his room.
"So, how is the freshly married mammal today?" smirks Debra.
"Looks kinda worn out to me!" enjoins Darci wearing a similar smirk.
"You're here a little earlier than I expected." The still tired todd sleepily tells the two does.
"Yeah, well we figured you might be in a bit of a hurry to get otta here." Darci tells him
"Not that I don't enjoy your company, but I do have plans." Nick informs them.
"Anything you'd care to share?" asks Deb.
"I think that plausible deniability comes into play here." Nick informs them "It's probably best that you not know everything. I do however, need to stop at the Tri-Burrow sheriff's office before I head to Zootopia to turn in my official notice. After that …"
"I think we get the picture. Anyways, as soon as we get someone in here to give you a push, we'll go down to physical therapy to give you a proper evaluation. If we decide you're good to go, we can release you as early as lunchtime." Deb tells Nick.
"Sounds like a plan." agrees Nick, just as an elderly lioness attendant enters the room with a wheelchair.
…
Roughly and hour and a half later, a physically drained todd sits impatiently waiting while two bunny does, who happen to be his sisters-in-law confer.
"We really thought you'd have better stamina than what you showed here today!" comments Debra with a very solemn look on her muzzle.
"Well," begins Nick, "in my defense, it's not my fault that I've been stuck in this bed for so long, not to mention the fact that your sister tried to-"
"We get the picture Nick." interrupts Darci. "Besides, Deb is just messing with you. considering how recent your injuries were, and the fact that you're fresh off your honeymoon, you've surpassed our expectations by far."
"That's right." adds Deb "All you need to do is check out at the main desk and you're free to go do whatever you need to do. just take it reasonably easy for the next couple pf days and you'll be fine. I'd prescribe some pain killers for you but I know you wouldn't take them anyway. I would, however, like to have you take a few days' worth of antibiotics, just for safety's sake."
"I guess I can deal with the antibiotics." admits Nick.
"And … it would be nice if you'd stop and pay Gideon Gray a friendly visit." suggests Darci. "Yes he and Judy had a tiff when they were in grade school, but they've been friends since he got out of juvie. Plus, he did donate that food for your wedding."
"I guess that would be a good idea." again admits Nick "If for no other reason to show him that there is no malice on my part for past goings-on."
"That's the spirit!" says Debra "Now, get dressed and get out of my hospital, malingerer!"
Blowing a raspberry at his sister-in-law, Nick smiles and makes good on her suggestion.
Several minutes later, the same lioness attendant knocks gently on the door to make her presence known, and Nick is wheeled down to the main lobby where he is out-processed.
…
Walking to his car, Nick decides to follow up on Darci's suggestion, Nick first returns to the motel room to change clothes, then makes his way to Bunnyburrow, and asks directions to Gideon's café.
Entering the quaint establishment, Nick is amused at the tiny bell tinkling above the door.
When a black wooled ewe enters from the kitchen area, Nick has to smile 'Judy really does have a rather dyslexic taste in friends.' he thinks to himself.
"May I help you?" the ewe asks him.
"Yes, I'd like to have a word with the owner if I may …" says Nick.
"And you are?"
Please tell Gideon, that's his name I believe, that Nick Wilde would like to have a moment or two of his time."
"You – you're Judy's todd!" responds a wide-eyed Sharla with a note of worry in her voice.
"Yes, I'm Judy's husband. I am not here to cause trouble, I would simply like to thank Gideon, and you, for helping Judy in her time of need."
"I-I'll be right back …" as the ewe makes her way to the kitchen.
After a few minutes, the portly Gideon makes his appearance, with Sharla following close behind.
"Ah-ahm Gideon Gray …"
Extending his paw, Nick introduces himself "I'm Nick Wilde. As you already know, Judy and I are married. I wanted to stop by and fursonally thank you and your wife for being true friends, and helping Judy when she really needed friends. Just so you know, I know about your past history and want to assure you that I'm a firm believer in second chances. If there's ever anything that you may need in the future, please give me a call. While the job description on the card isn't right, the phone number will remain the same." as Nick paws Gideon one of his business cards.
As a stunned Gideon looks between Nick and his card, his relief is evident.
"Ah – ah certainly is glad ta meet ya mister Wilde. Me an' Judy has had ar dif'rences in the past, but we's good now. Y'all stop by anytime."
"I'd really like to stay and chat, but I need to stop by the sheriff's office while sheriff Justice is still on duty, since I'm going to be one of his deputies, as will Judy when she graduates from the academy."
"Jude's still going to the academy?" asks Sharla.
"Yes, she's taking a shortened course that's tailored towards smaller communities and jurisdictions such as Bunnyburrow and the Tri-Burrow area." Nick informs the ewe.
"And when the kits come?" asks Sharla.
"Yet to be decided." admits the todd "We have plenty of time to discuss what she wants to do before they arrive. And before you ask, yes I'm aware of her situation."
"But ya married her anyways!" says Gideon, slightly in awe. "Yew seems lak a reel good mammal Mr. Wilde."
"Please, call me Nick. Mr. Wilde was my father."
"Nick then, and you kin call me Gideon, or just Gid if'n you've a mind ta."
"And you may call me Sharla, Nick." adds Sharla.
"As was stated earlier, I really need to be going, but I promise that I'll be back. Again, my thanks for helping Judy …"
…
After departing the café, Nick sits quietly in his car for a few moments before firing it up and heading to the central sheriff's office for a short meeting with sheriff Justice.
Entering the office, Nick observes a young, well-groomed but slightly … off looking rabbit buck.
"Kin I hep ya?" he asks.
"Yes, I'm Nick Wilde. I would like a few minutes of Sheriff Justice's time if he's in."
"Daddy!" yells the buck "Thur's a fox here an he wants ta talk to ya!"
Stepping out of his office, sheriff Justice, a rather out of shape older buck tells his (obviously) son "Junior, how many times do I got's ta tell you ta use the intercom and ta not call me daddy?"
"Sorry daddy!" as the younger buck sits back down at his desk, seemingly oblivious to the chewing out that he'd just received.
"My apologies mister Wilde, sometimes I think his momma dropped him on his head a time or two."
"It's all good sheriff. I simply stopped by to firm up a few things. Firstly I need to be sure that both Judy and I will both be employed by the Tri-Burrow department, and that our assignment will be what was agreed upon previously. Both Judy and I will be assigned to a satellite station in the borough of Aurora if memory serves."
"Yes sir mister Wilde, those are correct statements."
"At the current time, I have a few things that need to be taken care of, but I anticipate being able to report for duty in two weeks' time. Is that agreeable to you? And if so, I would imagine that Judy will be available immediately after her graduation from the Academy."
"Thet sounds about right." responds the sheriff.
"Insofar as how long Judy will be able to work, I believe that will depend on when the kits arrive and how soon she feels comfortable returning to work. Is that all agreeable with you and the commissioners?"
"I've spoken to the commission and with only one negative vote, it is."
"Let me guess, that vote would belong to Stuart Hopps."
"That would be correct. That being said, the vote passed with a count of 12 for and one against. You and Judy are good ta go, especially since you received such a glowing recommendation from chief of the ZPD."
"That's extremely good to know, thank you for the information." admits Nick.
"If it ain't too much to ask, what are yer plans fer the next couple a weeks?" comes a concerned question from the buck.
"First I need to return to Zootopia to take care of some fursonal business concerning my late parent's estate, then a formal resignation from the ZPD and equipment turn-in."
"And then?" comes the actual question.
"To be perfectly honest with you sheriff, I need to track down a certain mammal and elicit a signed document from him. The document is the forfeiture of all parental rights to a certain doe's as yet unborn kits."
"Mister Wilde, I ain't gonna beat around the bush here … how is you gonna manage that?"
"Sheriff, I won't lie, I intend to obtain former agent Savage's signature on that document by hook or by crook. While my methods will probably seem questionable to some, I give you my word that my methods will be more or less inside the law and that he will still be breathing when I'm finished with him and he will be relatively unharmed. Although he will most likely be needing a clean pair of underwear."
After staring at the todd for several moments, the sheriff tells Nick "Aw'rite, I believe ya. I've always admired Judy's spunk, way back ta when she was just a kit, wantin' ta be a cop in the big city. I'm glad she finally hooked up with you, even if it wuz under bad circumstances."
Offering his paw to the todd, the sheriff tells him "Good luck mister Wilde, I'm lookin' forward ta havin' yuh on the department."
After shaking the sheriff's paw, Nick heads back to the motel to get ready for his trip to Zootopia.
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