20 To Calm A Traumatized Mate
~0~
After getting just enough sleep to make sure he could pull off the four-to-five-hour drive ahead of him, Nick finishes loading his gear and himself into the GTO and begins the long drive back to the ZPA academy.
Pulling out of the parking lot of HoJo's, Nick has to fall into a mindset that he'd needed to adopt when he was in the Teams - Block out his feelings and concerns for Judy temporarily and concentrate on the drive ahead of him. He knew that it would do no one any good if he was to get in a wreck because he was distracted by concentrating on her.
…
After a long and mostly boring drive, stopping only for gas, food and a bathroom break, Nick finally pulls up to the outer gate of the ZPA and is only slightly amazed to find that his old instructor's key card was still valid.
"I guess my instructor status is still in force!" he comments to himself.
Pulling into an empty instructors parking spot and entering the building, Nick exchanges pleasantries with the rather attractive Saluki canine receptionist whose nameplate on her desk that reads S. Hill on his way to the Major's office.
Just as Nick was about to knock on Friedkin's door he hears "Enter!"
Opening the door and entering the office, Nick observes the large polar bear standing in front of and staring out of the large picture window that makes up one wall of her office – it overlooks the large common area that is the academy's courtyard that is currently covered in a light layer of fresh snow.
"In case you're wondering Wilde," begins the Major without turning "there are at least three times the number of cameras scattered throughout the building and grounds than before, mostly thanks to your shenanigans from when you were here as a cadet."
As Nick opens his mouth to reply, Major Friedkin continues "That plus the fact that Suki alerted me to your presence."
"Of course she did …" responds Nick, not a bit surprised or perturbed by the information.
Finally turning to face the todd, Major Friedkin tells Nick "Before I get into specifics, let me provide a bit of background. Ever since day one, one of the new fulltime cadets has been hitting up on a lot of the female cadets. We've had numerous complaints, but like we always have to tell them, we need visual proof of wrongdoing."
Turning her laptop so Nick can view the screen, the Major continues "As you can see by watching the clips from the various cameras, all that we could see was the perp in normal conversation with all of the different females. Notice that they are of different species, so we couldn't tell who he was actually targeting until …"
Suddenly Nick observes a male jackalope approach Judy from behind. Without warning, the jake grabbed the doe and swiftly began to try to 'chin' or scent mark her, getting Nick's protective posture up – hackles rising and a warning growl coming from his chest.
That's when Judy spins around and lets loose a roundhouse kick that catches the offending mammal on the side of the head and sends him flying out of frame.
An amazed Nick can only stare at the screen.
"Yeah," comments Friedkin "that's the same reaction we all had."
"Remind me to never piss her off …" suggests Nick.
"Before you ask, yes, sexual harassment is one of the first topics that's presented on the first day of orientation, so it's not like the jake never knew about it." Friedkin informs Nick.
"So …"
"So. The jackalope in question is currently in the infirmary with a broken left orbital socket, broken and dislocated lower mandible, one missing and three loosened teeth and a grade two concussion. He is due to be remanded to the ZPD in less than an hour"
"And Judy?"
"Cadet Wilde is physically fine and is facing no charges," confirms the Major "as her actions were considered to be in self-defense. Former cadet Lopes on the other paw faces arrest for sexual harassment, felony assault, felony attempted scent marking without consent and anything else that may crop up by the time he's released from the infirmary. I might also make mention of the fact that he has been released from his full-time position in the sheriff's office in Bailey in the Mountain district. The district has also waved any attempt to block extradition if he's released on bond and returns to his home district if we decide to prosecute, which we fully intend to do.
"I mainly called you in here to give your mate a show of emotional support. As you may have guessed, she's a bit torn up over the entire ordeal, which is understandable and all things considered."
"When-" just as Nick begins to ask a question, he is interrupted when the Major's phone lights up.
Picking up the receiver, Friedkin listens for a few seconds and responds "Send her in." and hangs up.
When the office door opens, a stunned Judy freezes for a split second, starts to advance towards Nick but again freezes when she suddenly realizes that Fredkin is in the room and doesn't want to tempt fate.
When the polar bear lets a small smile touch her lips and gives an almost imperceptible nod, the doe launches herself at her mate.
Even though Nick was prepared physically for Judy's anticipated action, he was NOT prepared for the emotional outburst that followed.
"I'msorryI'msorryI'msorry …" comes the slightly muffled emotional outburst into Nick's chest fur.
"Fluff-Judy, what-"
"I'm so sorry for creating a scene Nick, PLEASE don't be mad at me. Please don't leave me …" pleads the doe as she clutches her mate for dear life.
While this was all happening, Major Friedkin quietly slips from the room and closes the door, giving the couple a bit of privacy.
Holding his doe close, Nick pets her ears and softly tells her "It's okay Fluff, it's okay. I'm here and I'll never go away, you're stuck with me for the rest of your days."
After several minutes, Judy pulls back just far enough to be able to look her todd in the eyes Judy has to ask "For real?"
A gentle, reassuring smile is all Judy needs to grab Nick into a more typical hug, only to be interrupted by a gentle knock at the closed door.
"SIGH"
"I know Fluff …"
At the second short set of soft knocks, Judy releases her hug and turns to simply sit on Nick's lap.
"Enter?"
As the door cracks open just far enough, Suki sticks her head through the opening.
"I really hate to interrupt, but the Major wanted me to remind you two that there is an assembly in in the auditorium a few minutes and that you are both required to attend."
"Please tell the Major that we'll be there." Nick tells her.
…
Leaving the room paw in paw, the couple strolls past a smiling Suki at her desk and heads for the elevator.
Entering the elevator, Judy has to ask "Umm, I hate to ask, but how do you know Ms. Hall?"
Giving his mate a knowing smile Nick tells her "Suki used to be a talent scout for a major agency that unfortunately went belly-up a few years ago. She and several entertainers were in a real pickle so Lola, I and few others helped to find them decent jobs."
"I'm actually kinda surprised that you never tried to hook up with her, she is really pretty!"
"How do you know I didn't?" Nick asks with a bit of a smirk.
"… Nick?"
"No, I really didn't. she just didn't seem like a good fit for a mate."
"So you settled for a bunny instead?"
"No Fluff, I didn't settle for anything. I simply found my life mate quite by accident and married her. And that, my beautiful bunny, is you."
Blushing lightly at the mention of the accident that brought them together, Judy's answer was cut off when the elevator doors open and the ever-imposing visage of Major Friedkin comes into view.
"Cadet Wilde," she begins looking at Judy, "please take a seat in the front row with the other cadets. Inspector Wilde," indicating Nick "please take your place on the stage with the rest of the staff."
"Actually it's just deputy Wilde now Major."
"Semantics. Now get moving, both of you."
As Judy takes her place in the one single spot left on the front row of cadets, Nick lines up with the instructor staff on stage.
Finally making her way to the podium, a very serious Major Friedkin begins.
"Ladies, gentlemammals, staff and cadets. The reason for this academy wide gathering is unfortunate. In the past, fraternization amongst cadets was generally frowned upon but not exactly discouraged either. Cadets were believed to be honorable and mature enough to police themselves.
"Unfortunately, a recent action has caused the institution to rethink this policy. Because one of our now former cadets took it upon himself to assault another cadet by intentionally try to scent mark said cadet without her expressed consent, fraternization has been suspended for at least this intake.
"Study groups will be restricted to groups to a minimum of at least six individuals and must be conducted either in your barracks common areas, the dining hall, the quad or the auditorium. The same rules apply to the gym. Workout groups are to be no smaller than six members and must be of the same sex unless otherwise authorized and observed by academy staff.
"Are there any questions?"
Standing, a male mountain lion introduces himself "Cadet Frizzard. I fursonally don't see an issue with what happened. From what I heard it was simply two rabbits doing what rabbits do, constantly breed! I seriously doubt if her mate would bat an eye!"
As Nick's hackles begin to rise, a sharp look from Friedkin stops him cold.
"Tell me cadet Frizzard," says the Major "do all felines go around marking everything in their path? Do they all play the field, much like you've referred to rabbits and breed anything handy? Since you applied a stereotype about rabbits, I would assume that the same stereotype would apply to felines as well, correct?"
"Of course not Major, felines are much more refined than to stoop so low." comes the slightly offended answer.
"So … what would you say to cadet Wilde's mate if he was here?" asks the polar bear, already knowing how this was going to go, only hoping to be able to minimize the damage that's sure to come.
"In fact," she continues "why not say it to his face right now! Deputy Wilde, please step forward …"
As Nick walks off the stage and continues until he's face to face with the now suddenly uncomfortable feline, Friedkin keeps a close eye on the todd.
"So, begins Nick with what seems to be hate oozing out of his every pore "what do you got to say to me?"
"Yo-you're the rabbits mate?" stammers the now less intimidated feline.
"Obviously …"
"A rabbit and a fox? Bullshit!"
"You seem to be having a problem with interspecies relationships here!" Nick accuses the feline through clenched teeth and slitted eyes.
"I have no issue with like species, even different species as long as the mammals are either both predator or both prey. What I do have an issue with something as against nature as a fox and rabbit!" counters Frizzard heatedly.
"So you would condone something like rape as long as it's someone of like species, like say Leporidae?"
As the feline considers his next comment, Nick adds "Be very careful of what you say next …"
"Ar-are you threatening me?" asks the astounded mammal. "In front of everyone?"
"Of course not!" answers a grim-faced Nick, "I was simply adding a bit of caution, anything you can and will be used against you."
"But … this isn't a court of law!" counters Frizzard.
"But your answer may determine whether or not you are allowed to continue at this institution!" interjects the Major, much to the big cat's astonishment.
"What?" comes the incredulous question from the feline.
"The inscription on your badge will read 'Trust – Integrity – Bravery' if you graduate from this academy!" espouses the Major. "These are the cornerstones of our philosophy. You cannot pick and choose who you want to protect and serve, it applies to everyone equally regardless of their species or their relationship status, regardless of your fursonal feelings."
"But … a fox and a rabbit? That doesn't make a bit of sense!"
When a sudden low-pitched growl escapes Nick's throat, the feline has to take a surprised step backwards.
"You are very lucky that I'm not back in the military right now!" declares a furious Nick. "Insulting my mate would get you very dead very quickly!"
"A fox … killing me?" asks a totally blown away Frizzard.
"Do you really think that your size gives you an advantage over me?" asks the todd.
"Of course. You're maybe one third my size and weight if you're lucky." answers the now confident cat.
"Maybe you'd like to put that opinion to the test, as misguided as it is!" challenges Nick.
"WILDE!" interrupts the major, concerned for her cadet's safety.
"No, if this idiot wants to fight me, I'm all for it." insists Frizzard "Someone needs to teach this clown a lesson! Don't worry, I won't hurt him too bad!"
"I'm not worried about Wilde's health," indicates the Major solemnly "I'm concerned about yours."
Seeing the confused look that the big cat is giving her, the Major explains "Wilde spent decades in the military, serving his country in special ops units. If you're lucky, I can keep him from killing you or injuring you really badly. You insulted his mate, so whatever happens, it's on you. since you basically issued the challenge, under our rules and guidelines I'm basically helpless to stop the fight.
"That said, you both have fifteen minutes to meet in the MMA octagon in the gym. A no-show is an automatic DQ. Do you both understand?"
Getting short nods form both males, the fight is scheduled.
…
With Nick heading for the staff locker room and Frizzard going to the cadet locker room, Judy is understandably nervous.
Minutes later when Frizzard enters the octagon, he's wearin a set of MMA trunks that he probably got off the interwebs.
Nick, on the other paw, is wearing only an old pair of faded dark blue ZPA trunks, his many scars in plain sight for all to see.
While most of the staff have seen Nick like this several times in the past, all of the cadets, even Judy, are taken a bit back when seeing the todd in fighting trim, scars and all.
Everyone except Frizzard it seems.
When both males are ready and meet in the center of the octagon, Friedkin goes over the few rules.
"This will be what amounts to a street fight. Pretty much everything is legal except there'll be no biting and no usage of claws. Do not make me intervene. Are you both clear about that?"
When both participants nod, Friedkin separates them and tells them "FIGHT!"
Easily anticipating the feline's opening move (a kick to the groin) Nick quickly steps to his own right side and pounds the advancing cougar in the ribs with a right fist – hard.
With the big cat stunned and doubled over slightly in pain, Nick quickly lands a left footed semi roundhouse/wheel kick to the larger mammal's head while it's within easy reach.
Intentionally giving the stunned cat an opportunity to recover, the todd give him a look that should frighten any mammal with even a lick of common sense – steely eyes and a very self-serving grin.
Undeterred, Frizzard hunches down and this time advances cautiously on the much smaller opponent.
Now wanting to end the fight quickly, especially against a much larger opponent, Nick plants a very hard right footed kick to the inside of the big cat's right thigh, which is his lead leg.
Trying to switch stances because of the pain does Frizzard no good when Nick applies a solid left kick to the inside of the feline's left thigh, causing him to wince once again in pain.
With the cat stunned, Nick applies a very hard and solid rising front thrust kick to his opponent's midsection, causing the cat to double up again in even more pain.
Maintaining his pose and putting most of his considerable strength into a perfect rising side thrust kick to the big cat's head (opponent's head coming down and his kick going up) Nick turns the feline's lights out.
With even the staff being stunned at such a quick and violent ending (not to mention how absolutely shocked the cadets - including Judy) are, Nick simply turns and heads for the cage opening and straight to the staff locker room while the Major checks the downed fighter to make sure he's all right other than being unconscious.
Straightening, the Major tells the crowd "I think that Frizzard is going to be okay, but he needs to go to the infirmary for a complete check-up just to be sure.
"With all the hubbub, and since I doubt if anyone will be able to concentrate on their classes, classes are suspended for the rest of the day. Cadets are free to pursue leisure activities for the rest of the day if they wish. Dismissed!"
…
Exiting the locker room after changing, Nick finds Judy sitting on a bench just outside the facility door.
Seeing the look on her face that seems to be part adoration and equal parts concern, he has to ask as he sits next to her –
"Fluff … Judy …?"
Taking her time to form her conflicting thoughts into words, she final replies "I … ummm … I more or less know what you did while you were in the military. I know that you did what you did because you had too. I've seen and felt your scars that are a product of all that, but … I never realized the level of violence that accompanied it all."
Seeing the concern on her todd's face, she continues as she places a small paw on his leg "I'm not faulting you for it, I just never realized exactly what it took until just a few moments ago!"
Taking her small paw in his much larger one, Nick looks deeply into his does eyes and admits "What you saw in there was me actually holding back. In combat, especially paw to paw, you literally have milliseconds to decide how much force to use. To disable an opponent, or how badly to injure or to actually kill them. The cougar was never a danger to me, regardless of his size and weight advantage. He may have been a good fighter on the street, but that's still a world of difference between fighting that cadet and life and death on the battlefield. Even in my anger, I had to hold back so as not to kill a mammal that was never my equal in a fight.
"I wouldn't blame you a bit if you're concerned about being with me, especially now that you can at least partially realize the level of violence that I'm capable of."
Standing, Judy moves from her seat on the bench to standing on Nick's lap so she can stare directly into his eyes "My darling Nicholas, I have no fear that you'd ever harm me because I will never give you cause to. Do you understand that you're stuck with me for the rest of our lives, regardless of what may come?" she asks in a very serious voice.
Nick's only reply was to take his doe into a very tight and tear-filled hug,
After several minutes, an "AHEM" is heard, bringing the couple back into the real world.
While Judy wanted to step off of Nick's lap, the todd simply turned his doe around to face the Major and again allowed her to sit in his lap.
Simply quirking a single eye, the Major informs the pair. "Frizzard is fine and suffers only a mild concussion. I'm glad that you held back a bit Wilde …" which simply adds credence to Nick's earlier statement to Judy.
"He's also considering resigning from the academy after having a 'mere fox'" using finger quotes "as he put it, handing him a whipping like you did."
Holding a steady gaze at the much larger mammal, Nick asks a simple question "And? There's no way you'd purposely find me just to tell me that! "What's on your mind Major? … Wait, let me guess … regardless of the previous events, Frizzard shows promise and you want me to talk him into staying, right?"
"Your ability to read mammals can be very annoying at times Wilde …"
"Yeah, well, what can I say …"
"Nick," says Judy softly as she lightly touches his arm "it's all about second chances … right?"
Looking down at his mate, he quietly asks her "You're sure about this?"
As Judy turns just enough to look directly at her todd "Yes, I am. Everyone deserves a second chance!"
"Even Lopes?" Nick asks in almost a whisper.
Taking a moment to consider the question, Judy tells her mate "At the risk of being a hypocrite, no, not him. While Frizzard was wrong with his speciest attitude, Lopes tried to physically mark me as being his mate, even while fully knowing that I'm already married."
Sighing, Nick relents and tells the Major "Okay, fine, I'll talk to Frizzard, but I make no promises."
"I'll accept that." remarks the Major. "Come on, I'll set things up for you."
…
Arriving at the door to the infirmary, Friedkin asks Nick to wait outside until she has a chance to first speak with Frizzard, informing him that Nick would like a word or two with him.
When she exits the infirmary, the Major tells Nick "He's agreed to talk to you, but take it slow, okay?"
Nodding slightly, Nick enters and closes the door.
"No telling how long this is going to take …" the Major hints to Judy.
"That's okay, I'm not going anywhere until Nick comes out …" the doe says as she tries to make herself comfortable on a bench beside the door.
Knowing it would do no good to try to dissuade the doe, Friedkin simply shrugs and heads back to her office, knowing that Nick would let her know how things work out when he's finished.
…
After a while, a napping Judy is awakened by a gentle nudge from her mate.
"C'mon Fluff," he tells her "the three of us need to go to Ursula's office for a minute."
Just now noticing that the male cougar was standing next to her mate, Judy takes a quick step backwards.
"Cadet … Mrs. Wilde," he begins tenatively "I sincerely apologize for my attitude and statements earlier. I now know how difficult it can be for a female of your, or any other species, to make a decent life … and … to find a good mate, regardless of their species. While I may not deserve it, I humbly ask for your forgiveness on that matter."
After thing for a few moments, Judy approaches the larger mammal "I … forgive you. My being with Nick is all about second chances, and I believe that you deserve one."
"Thank you Mrs. Wilde. I will truly strive to earn the trust you have put in me."
"See that you do …"
While there seemed to be no actual threat in her words, they did carry a note of foreboding in them, should Frizzard fall back into his previous train of thought.
Arriving at the Major's open office door, Nick knocks gently, just loud enough to alert the mammal within.
Glancing up from her desk, the ursine says "Grizzard, come in and close the door behind you. Wildes, you're both dismissed."
Giving the odd couple a thankful glance, the feline enters the polar bear's lair and closes the door.
"So … now what?" asks Judy.
"Well, it's about dinner time,. What say I buy my favorite bunny a meal?" Nick snarks.
"Doofus, you know we don't have to pay for our meals here …" replies Judy, softly elbowing her mate in the ribs.
"Really? When did that start?" deadpans Nick.
"Niiiiick!"
"You may not know it Fluff, but the staff and visitors do have to pay for their meals, and you will be eating with me at the visitors table."
"But-"
"Yes, you have a nice one, but that's not important right now …" he interrupts with a grin.
"NICK!"
"What, I can't admire my mate's backside?" he snarks.
"Not the place Nick, you know that …"
"And?"
"You are-"
"Handsome? Suave? Devil-may-care?"
"More like incorrigible I think." she answers.
"I can accept that." he counters with a typical Nick-ish grin.
…
Making their way to the serving line, Judy choses the vegetarian lasagna and when Nick reaches for the same item "Nick … what are you doing?"
"Ummm, getting some food?"
"Look … I know that predators need protein, so you need to stop pussyfooting around when it comes to things like eating. I'm already comfortable being around you when you eat meat. And how will I ever learn what you like to eat, and how to cook it if you choose nothing but veggies and vegetarian food when you're around me? Now, reach over there and get a double portion of that lasagna with the turkey sausage and make your mate happy, okay?"
Slightly surprised by Judy's insistence, Nick can only offer a soft smile and tell her "Okay, fine. And once you've graduated and we get settled in our own place, I'll be happy to teach you how to cook anything you want. Happy?"
Patting her mate on the paw as they find an empty table and sit side by side, the doe tells her mate "Yes, at least for now."
…
After finishing their meal, the couple realizes that it's time for visitors to make their way out of the facility.
"So …" begins Nick.
"To answer your question, yes I'm in a much better frame of mind since the attack, thank you."
"While we both wish that I could stay longer, you can take solace in the fact that I'll be back next Friday around five to pick you up for the weekend. With Savage dealt with, I'm going to try and find us a place to live in or near to Aurora. Any special requests?"
"Just someplace nice that we can actually afford, with at least three bedrooms for when the kits get big enough. A good-sized yard would be nice too."
"Price shouldn't be an issue, I'll be selling my folk's place."
"Nick, really?" she asks with mild concern.
"Yeah, really." he responds "Look sweetheart, it makes no sense to be an absentee landlord, and I don't want to let it stand empty. I already have buyers lined up that I know will take good care of the place. In fact, it's the couple that you met the night you stayed there. Mike and Liz love the place and will respect the fact that my folks and I lived there. I'll be getting a fair price which will be way more than enough to buy something in Aurora since the housing market is so much higher in Zootopia. We won't be rich, but we'll be well enough off."
"You're sure?"
One hundred percent, yes!" he admits as he kisses Judy.
Taking each other into a tight hug, neither wants the let the other go, but as a bell lightly chimes in the background, they both know that Nick now has to leave.
"I'll see you next Friday." Nick tells her.
"Five o'clock … don't you dare be late!" Judy warns him.
"I wouldn't dream of it!" he tells her as the door closes.
Trudging through the now accumulating snow, Nick takes a quick look behind him and sees a slightly tearful Judy still at the doors, waving.
Waving back, Nick blows his mate a kiss just before entering the GTO and starts the engine.
While the engine warms up, Nick takes a small snow broom and clears the snow off the car and makes himself a promise "Three bedrooms and a good-sized yard. I don't care what it costs, that's exactly what we'll have …"
~0~
AN: Yes, I know jackalopes are NOT real, but neither are walking, talking animals. It's fiction folks, deal with it. And male jackalopes are referred to as jakes.
Almost all large felines are part of the same genus (panther), plus a mountain lion is still considered a cougar.
PTSD is real, even among noncombatants. 22 a day is the average suicide rate among veterans, and over 50% of those deaths never saw combat.
