Nick was going through store after store; searching racks of clothing for a nice uniform he could wear. Each time he would enter another shop, cruel judgmental glances and whispers would follow; Nick however ignored the scrutiny and drew strength from one thought, the eyes of a vixen, that he pictured watching him, with care and grace.

He stood in front of a rack in K-9mart, a confused and frustrated look plastered to his face, he held a blue shirt in one paw and a black shirt held in the other, they were the exact same shirt apart from colour.

“Excuse me” he whispered gesturing a paw in the air to get one of the worker’s attention. He was ignored by the workers however a very fuzzy and well dressed she wolf noticed his pleas and smiled walking toward Nick.

As the wolf approached Nick her smile became concealing across her face; as if she recognised Nick. She was white as snow, with blue eyes and dressed extremely elegantly.

She promptly walked over “Hello, Maybe I can help?” she asked while chewing gum.

Nick went to reply but was taken off; he could see a sly smirk in the corner of her mouth, she was much younger then Nick, but her eyes danced over him.

Nick held both shirts out, “Which colour do you think would suit me?”

The she-wolf smiled taking a knee; grabbing both, placing them over his chest before changing to the other colour.

“Hmm” she began “Depends” she finally conceded.

“On what” Asked Nick

“What’s it for? I mean this one would be a good going out shirt” she explained holding up the blue shirt to his torso.

“It’s for a job interview” he confirmed.

“Doing?”

“Bar tending…hopefully”.

She smiled, “Oh, that’s easy, definitely the black”.

“You should try it on?” continued the wolf.

Nick felt self-conscious, he knew he stunk, he knew his clothes were tattered and old, and yet this she-wolf gazed upon him, with such admiration that it made Nick kind of uncomfortable.

“Why are you being so nice to me?” he quizzed abruptly; unable to take the odd behaviour any longer, looking around as if it was a big joke about to be played on him.

The she-wolf; had an all too bright smile, like she had been waiting for Nick to ask that question. The wolf went chest to chest with him before she knelt right next to him and put her muzzle to his ear “I know who you are Nicholas Wilde” she whispered with a cute, seductive wink as she pulled away.

Without another word, she reached her paw to her own ear and began to undo one of her love heart shaped earring.

“If you’re going to work in a bar, you’ll need an earring”.

Without any consent, she pushed the earring through Nick’s ear, who flinched back only a little. Before she licked his ear two or three times wiping away the blood, she stood back to admire her handy work.

“There you go, much better” she confirmed.

She placed her paw to the side of Nicks face “See you later cutie” she said kissing his cheek; as she slid her paw across his face and turned to walk away.

Nick stood stunned and completely confused, he gently moved his paw up, touching the piercing, his ear hurt only a little.

“Who the hell?” he spoke to himself completely at a loss of who the she-wolf was.

By the time Nick finished shopping and the she wolf was no longer in his thoughts, Nick had bought several loads of clothes, changing into a new shirt and pants and throwing the old ones away, although he had been scrutinised the entire time he was shopping, he was happy that he was refreshed.

He had bought a green shirt with leaves over it, as similar to his old clothes as he could get, and some generic brown slacks.

However, he did not wear these, instead he sported a black shirt and pants, thinking that, this uniform would be more proper to go to a job interview in. He was walking down the street, several bags of clothes in his paws, a bottle of aftershave, toothbrush and comb and his old tatty bag he had gone back to the park to collect; flung over his shoulders. He felt on top of the world with the little he had.

He got to the watering Hole and waited outside, it was only 2:00 and he knew he had to be there at 5. He had some money left and saw a small coffee stand just down the ways, he leisurely made his way to it and waited in queue.

He got to the front and there was a Rhino and a Buffalo both talking. “Hello sirs” he greeted.

“Oh great another fox” grumbled the Rhino, ceasing to talk and looking away while the Buffalo turned to Nick. “Hey can’t you-”

“See you were talking?” finished Nick, “perhaps you should be working instead” he snapped.

The buffalo pulled his head back insulted  “Excuse me?”

Nick pointed a claw; he knew the Buffalo and Rhino didn’t remember him, but Nick sure remembered them. They were the same two that had made Nick wait to speak to a manager when he had gone for a job once before. Only to find out he was being made to waste his time.

“You heard me” Nick growled “You shouldn’t be talking during work, you should be serving”.

“Oh yeah, or what?”

Nick thought for a moment before he remembered a very specific scenario that had worked a charm, in a similar situation.

Nick smirked dropping his ear to the side a sincere look on his face projecting his voice for all to hear.

“I’m so glad you asked! I mean are your customers aware you were found to be using stale bread thrown away by the bakery?” he explained walking over to a table and gesturing to an armadillo eating a sandwich. The Armadillo looked at the shop owner, opening her mouth so a slop of half chewed sandwich fell onto her plate; she placed the rest of sandwich down and walked away from their al fresco Cafe.

Nick flicked a claw in the air and took centre stage now that all eyes were on him; “Or how about the worse fact that this rhino” gestured Nick to the Rhino standing next to the owner, “is selling you homemade rhino milk to make your coffee…isn’t that against regulation? Section 12 of the food act clearly states you need to be buying from a pasteurised and certified business, not a friend” he accused.

He paused for a moment for dramatical effect, leaning against a table “And male rhinos for that matter” added Nick matter of factly, leaning casually on a table where other animals sat.

“Male Rhino’s don’t have milk” interjected one customer with a coffee in hoof.

Nick gave him a sympathetic glare; “I know…” he explained gently rubbing his claw across a table, a look of apologetic regret on his face.

Nick heard one customer who sat at a seat spit his coffee out; understanding what Nick was trying to say. Nick trying with all his strength not to blurt out laughter.

The Buffalo and Rhino stood shocked at Nick’s allegations.

“We’ll now that this is done, I bid you adieu” he confirmed saluting them before strolling off pleased with himself. He looked back to shout one last thing over his shoulder “I hope business goes well, hang in there”.

As he walked away he saw several customers also get up and leave. The Buffalo and Rhino yelling at him as he walked away, while simultaneously being swamped with customers demanding refunds.

Nick sat on a bench across from the watering hole, a gleeful feeling deep in his gut, this is the Nick he knew, this was the Nick he remembered. He had not felt so alive in so long that it was making him shake with happiness.

He checked the watch he bought, he had only fifteen minutes to wait, he thought he would head in early to show promptness and that he was keen.

Nick entered the pub the rickety door creaking open, inside the air was stale and smelt of old beer he poked his head in but couldn’t see anyone. A cool breeze seeming to be ever present in the waterin Hole atmosphere; likely because the air-con above the bar was always pumping.

“Hello” he whispered in a shout.

“Oh hey sweetie, come in” came a voice from seemingly nowhere.

Nick walked in, the door shutting gently behind him, from behind the bar stood Pricilla, a tray of glasses in her grasp.

“Hey stranger” she yipped gleefully placing the glasses on the top of the bar, before walking around and giving Nick the tightest hug he had ever felt.

“Hey” he nervously replied, hugging her back.

“Nickie” she sighed “what happened ta you? I never got a cawl? And now you show up oudda thin air, how ya bin?”

Nick didn’t reply he just shook his head.

“Dat bad huh? ere have a beer” she offered walking back behind the bar, she raised a glass and began pouring him an ale.

Nick was going to decline, he hadn’t drank beer in such a long time, but by the time he went to protest the glass was half full and he felt his throat beg for the cool indulgence.

The crisp white head frothed over the top sliding down the side of the glass and the glass instantly became moist with dew, the bronze colour and tip of the beer showed it was a perfect pour, obviously hours of practise, she placed the beer on a coaster and slid it in front of Nick, who watched as the bubbling carbon dioxide made its way from the base of the glass to the head of the beer.

“Thank you” he stated taking a seat at the bar grabbing his lower back as he sat, a slight nerve pain shooting up his spine. He grabbed the beer in the other paw and tilted his head back to let the moist beverage make its way down his throat, the tingling in his back slightly subsiding, he downed half the beer when he stopped to take a breath.

“Whoa, easy tiger, you might choke” giggled Pricilla.

Nick put the glass down and took an almighty huff to get his breath back.

Pricilla proceeding to only laugh louder as Nickie now sat on the bar stool with a foam moustache made from the froth of the beer.

Nick looked down at what she was laughing and pointing at, he rolled his eyes with a smile and wrapped his tongue around his lips to clear it.

They both chuckled and as the chuckles slowly subsided the conversation became more serious.

“What happened der?” quizzed Pricilla, noticing the pain inflicted on Nickie simply trying to take a seat.

“I got shot in the back” he explained coldly “three times…”

Nick wrapped his paws around the cold glass and took another swig, it had been years since he had a drink.

“So, whacha afta anywayz?”

“Just some work” explained Nick.

“Day shift, night shift?”

Nick laughed a little, he gathered that Pricilla didn’t understand that he was at her mercy, or perhaps she did realise and was simply being kind.

“Any shift”.

“Okay sweetheart, I’ll put tagether a rosta for ya and we’ll get ya started ASAP, Most likely night shift, cause you’re a fox and you’ll mainly be doing bar work, cause I don’t think youd be able ta do any security work wit dat injury you got, hows dats sound?””

“That’s the most amazing thing I’ve heard for a very long time” he confirmed. There was a paused, while Nick thought of one other thing “Pricilla?”

“Ye Nickie?”

“Do you guys have rooms here?”

“Coarse we do sweetheart, whys dat?”

Nick drank the rest of his drink; Pricilla had done right by him, the least he could do was let her know why he never called. Once he had finish his beer he proceeded to explain all that had happened to him to Pricilla, throughout Nick’s story her face went from horror to shock to anger to pity and by the end she simply reached into her apron and placed down a small keychain on the bar her eyes moist with tears.

“You can stay ere for as long as you need sweetheart” she confirmed with her hand over her mouth, she had never heard such dread from anyone before or seen a fox look so hollow.

Nick picked up the keys in his paws, holding them and just starring for the longest moment before he looked to Pricilla with reverence

“Thank you” he choked.

She just nodded, sniffing, trying to compose herself.

“You’re on the third floor, room 21”

“What about payment?”

Pricilla wiped her tears on her apron and feigned a laugh “Don’t be a dunce Nickie”  

Nick smiled holding the key close to his chest walking to the stair case and going up to find his room.

As he was about to be out of site Pricilla called out.

“You can do a practise shift on the weekend if you’d like?”

Nick turned poking his head out so only his shoulder and head were visible from the doorway and with a smile replied “That would be awesome”.

Nick went to leave when Pricilla called him and he poked his head out once more.

“I like your ear ring Nickie, it suits you”

Nick had completely forgot the earring and flicked his ear to bring it to eye level, starring at the love heart, he smiled at Pricilla putting his ear back in place, but then his thoughts became congested by the thought of who the she-wolf was once again as he headed up to his new room.

It was seven o’clock and Jack turned his computer off grabbing his coat and rubbing his red, sore eyes, his meds making him drowsy and the hidden bottle in his desk not helping by any stretch of the imagination.

“Long day captain?”

“Always” he confirmed looking up; only to see the room was empty.

“Nooo, Nooo” he grumbled, sluggishly making his way over to his desk, going to his top draw and taking out some more medication; taking three tablets. He walked over to the wall collapsing against it and placing his eyes in his paws.

“Just stop” he pleaded.

“Stop what?” asked a familiar voice.

Jack cautiously looked up, fearing he would see his haunting illusions; however he looked up from his paw to see Clawhauser standing in the room.

“How long have you been there?” asked Jack

“I just walked in?” confirmed Clawhauser.

“What do you want?” continued Jack; trying to sound professional, but realising he was sprawled out on the floor leaning on the wall.

“Aaare you okay sir?” questioned Clawhauser a little concerned. “Fine, just tired, what do you want?”

Clawhauser reached into a folder and pulled out a small booklet of papers stapled together; handing it to Jack.

“Is this okay?” he asked

Jack took the book, flicking through the pages, checking prices and what the place had to offer”

“If you want this one I need to lock it in, they need three months for a party of this size”

Without a thought, Jack just nodded handing it back to him “Set up for like 7:00pm, put on a bar tab, food, the works”

“Got it” confirmed Clawhauser going to leave.

“Oh, and Clawhauser”

Clawhauser stopped in the door; turning to listen to Jack.

“Try and keep the surprise party a surprise this year” chuckled Jack.

Clawhauser chuckled nervously and saluted “Yes sir, I’ll try sir”.

Jack dragged himself to his feet once Clawhauser had left, he took a few deep breathes, keeping his eyes poised on the exit, before heading for the door; ignoring the shadow that sat swivelling in his chair, in his peripherals.

Maria had finished four hours earlier then Jack and sat at home with Alison, they were on the sofa watching a movie together, ‘A fox tales”, Alison’s favourite movie.

They sat eating popcorn and Alison was quoting the movie word for word. Maria smiled, as her daughter sat in awe at the characters on the screen.

“You know, this was you fathers favourite movie and he use to do the same thing, he was able to quote every single word of this movie”

Alison, who was only partially listening, picked up the remote and paused the movie, a strange look on her face.

“What?” she asked, not hearing what her mum had said or thinking she misheard her.

“I said this was your father’s favourite movie, he loved watching this” repeated Maria with a deep smile, that was soon washed away at the look on Alison’s face.

“Dad HATES this movie” Alison confirmed.

Maria was confused for a moment before she realised her mistake, Nick loved a fox tales…. Not Jack.

Maria quickly giggled, slapping a paw to her forehead “Oh silly me-” she confirmed

“Must have been another movie similar to this that your father liked. Ha-ha popcorn?”.

Alison nodded reaching her tiny paw into the bowl; pressing play on the remote with her other paw, but felt something deep inside her guts twist.

Maria sat in bed once the movie was over and Alison had been tucked in. she was reading a new book that was on the top of the best sellers “A wolf in sheep’s clothing” it was about a wolf and a sheep who had fallen in love, the wolf having been killed by his pack for loving someone he shouldn’t have. She had gone through twelve pages when her eyes closed.

“Say slick” began Judy as she and Nick watched ‘A fox tales’ “what would you name your kids if you had any?”

“Oh you know me carrots, kids are annoying brats!” he confirmed; waving his paw at her dismissively.

“Naw, come on Nick, just imagine you found the girl of your dreams, what would you call your little Nicks?” she asked again as she walked off to make more popcorn

Nick sat starring at Judy as she danced around the kitchen; “Alison, I would call our daughter Alison” he whispered

“Huh?”

Nick shook his head with a laugh “My daughter, Alison would be her name and if I had a boy, probably Jasper” he explained with a nervous chuckle.

Judy sat placing the popcorn in the microwave, blushing; she had heard Nick the first time.

“What about you?”

“I would call our kids, anything you wanted” she whispered into the microwave.

Judy woke to the bed shaking and gently grasped her small paws around her head; only stopping when she saw a dark silhouette to the side of her, Jack was trying his best to sly his way into the bed without waking her. She glanced at the clock it was almost 10:00pm

As he was pulling the blankets up he saw Maria had her eyes open starring at him

“I’m sorry did I wake you?” he groaned, annoyed he was not able to slip in without annoying her and nervous she may smell the undenying scent of alcohol on his breath.

Maria was to sleepy to noticed and simply yawned, throwing her book to the ground and wrapping her arms around his waist snuggling close to him as he reached out to turn off the bedside light.

“It’s okay, I was having a nightmare anyway” she explained, placing her head gently between his masculine shoulder blades, spooning him and trying to get back to sleep.

However there was a pit in her stomach and although she tried with all her years of training to fill it with paperwork, family time and exercise, she knew it was the shape of a fox and could not be filled, no matter how long she was trained or how long she went to therapy to be convinced she was Maria Savage, some part of her would always be Judy Hopps, who fell in love with a dumb fox and left him for dead.

He sat there alone for along time, until he felt the bench vibrate.

His thoughts became interrupted when he saw someone sit next to him out of his peripherals, his heart skipped a beat and he instantly felt sick, he looked over to her and she was trying hard not to make eyes contact.

It must have been another Vixen who had been on the bus, because as large as life, the one who had been so kind to Nick sat beside him, trying hard not to make eye contact also.

She just held her bag looking around at seemingly nothing. However she sported two coffees in a tray and was alone.

Nick placed his paw together, he could feel beads of sweat on his palms and forehead, he could feel his heart pounding and his breath going rigid, and his paws shook slightly, he thought for sure she could see his bodies extremely nervous reaction, however what he didn’t know was that she was afraid he would see her paws shaking and her heart pounding and her breath coming out in rigid waves also.

The two turned to one another and made eye contact, Nick was a deer in the headlights and Hazel was no different.

Hazel was shocked; Nick was all cleaned up and was one of the most handsome creatures she had ever laid eyes on. “Why would someone who looked like this ever want me?” she thought darkly to herself. She thought him genuinely good looking when he was rough, but now cleaned up, she felt like a mite on the back of a dog in comparison.

Nick looked at this vixen and for the first time ever Judy was nowhere in thought, good or bad, she simply seemed to vanish from his mind.

Nicks breathing had become so rigid, his world began to spin, he felt lethargic as if all energy was sapped form his body.

“What the hell?” he thought to himself; his body betraying him, he felt like he had just gone through the police cadetship fitness test seven times in an hour.

His fur stood on end at the back of his neck, similar to when he was shot by night howler. He twisted his neck and shook his head, “what’s happening to me” screamed his thoughts.

Hazel, who could feel the all too familiar feeling of warmth across the small of her nose and through her muzzle, turned to Nick to speak to him, when she noticed he had gotten up and was already several steps away.

Hazels mouth slowly shut and she let out a small whimper, “What did I do?” she asked, the warmth in her nose completely disappearing. She waited for him to return and when he didn’t and the coffee was cold she walked it to the bin dropping it in and walking home, she didn’t feel like writing today...

Nick walked to the edge of the park, his world was spinning, he whistled loud and a cab pulled up, he basically fell into the cab and threw $50.00 into the cab drivers lap, “get me to the medical centre” he pleaded.

Nick got to the centre and ran as fast as his shaky leg could take him into the medical centre and stumbled his way over to the reception.

“F…Fr…Fray…Dr Fray…” he huffed and puffed.

“Sir what’s the problem?” asked the receptionist.

Nick grasped at his chest “Ppp please… I need to see the Doctor, I can’t breathe…” he stated placing his other paw on the bench, it’s shake was unstoppable.

The receptionist saw his paw and began to freak; out picking up the phone.

“Yes…Fray, you have a client out here. Yes. What’s your name?”

“-…Nick…” he choked out, his chest tight and sore.

The lady put down the phone.

“Nick, the doctor will be-“

Before she could finish the door opened and Fray stood there with a worried look on her face “Nick what’s wrong?”

Nick ran to her grabbing her by the wrist and going into the doctor’s office, he let go of her wrist once the door was shut and fell back onto the chair unbuttoning his shirt to unveil his fit body and chest to Fray who was a little shocked at first that Nick was still so fit.

“Fray something’s wrong… I can’t breathe…”

Fray pulled up a wheelie chair stopping in front of Nick and instantly began going to work placing her stethoscope hastily to his chest, checking his eyes and ears.

“I thought you immunised me to everything…is..is it the bullets? Is it my injuries, what’s wrong with me Fray I’ve never felt like this before?” he quizzed frantically one question after the other, making his shortness of breath worsen.

Within moment Fray knew what was wrong; Frays paw became relaxed and grin crossed her face and she gently laid her paw on Nick’s forehead, she then looked at Nicks back and how his hair was on edge, her stethoscope lay cold gently pressed to where his heart is.

She chuckled lightly

Nick looked down his nose at her, “How could she be laughing at time like this?” he thought, his breath still unbelievable tense.

“What’s….so …funny” he questions through each breath.

Fray saw the red across his face, she saw the sweat and the shake, she saw exactly what was wrong.

Fray had a cheeky smirk on her face and it made Nick evermore confused. “What?” asked Nick trying hard to control his breathing, his vision had become like a light had just been turned on, everything was fuzzy and slightly moving.

“Nick where have you been?”

“What?”

“Where have you been this morning?”

“I ….Had breakfast… then went to the park….”

He mentioned the park and again his chest went off, Fray listening intently to his heartbeat.

“ye-huh, And who was at the park?”

“Huh?”

“Who were you meeting at the park…?” she repeated

“How do…. you…know I was meeting someone?” quizzed Nick, confused by all her questions basically coughing to get the words out.

“Nick, you’re not sick….you’re not dying… it’s not the bullets…”.

“Then what?” breathed Nick feeling like he had just woken up everything was a blur and a daze.

“I don’t want to say you’re on ‘heat’, because that’s not the right words, but you’re having… What I refer foxes to having as a… Velvet bow tie”.

“Huh?”

“You know meeting your lifelong?”

“Wah?” asked Nick with complete confusion

Fray rolled her eyes “God Nick didn’t you have parents…”

Nicks eyes shifted to the left and went sad for a moment.

Fray shut her eyes realizing what she said was horrible. Nick’s father, Tyrone had been the bane of his existence and the cause of his misery for the last year, a criminal, a murderer and his mother passed during his teenage years after he had run away from home.

“Nick…” she began “You are in love”.

Nick took a deep breath trying really hard to compose himself “like…Judy in love?”

Fray grabbed Nick by the muzzle and pulled him eye to eye “Not even close buddy. You are having a velvet bow tie moment Nick, it’s the nickname we give when foxes find their….you know…soul mate… their life partners…lifelongs”.

“Soul mate…?”

“You may be evolved but you are still monogamous by nature… This is probably why what Judy did hurt so much”.

“But… I love Judy…” he explained, his heart momentarily hurting for a different reason.

“Give this time Nick….Judy won’t even feel like a blip on the radar in comparison to this”.

“Velvet bow tie?” he confirmed

Fray sat in the chair folding her arms and nodded with a cheeky teenager style smile.

Finnick was the closest thing Nick ever had to a father and Nick remembered once Finnick had spoken of a Vixen he had met and that something shifted inside him, it made him so uncomfortable he simply pushed the Vixen away and lived alone. Nick knew this was the feeling Finnick spoke of. Nick always thought Judy had taken a hold of this, but the more he thought about it, that seemed like childlike crush in comparison.

Nick got up, his knees shaking and his body covered in sweat.

“I can’t meet her like this, I can barely walk!” he explained kind of angrily, gesturing to his legs

“Who is she?” pried Fray giving Nick a nudge with her elbow to the ribs and raising her eyebrows.

The small nudge feeling as though it was going to bowl Nick over. “I don’t even know…”

Fray raised an eyebrow, “How interesting”.

“I saw her dance once, she brought me a coffee…she defended me…. God Fray this feels awful!” he concluded sitting back down and putting his face into his paws.

Fray leaned forward placing her paw on his shoulder “Only a very select set of animals go through this Nick, you’re a fox and unfortunately foxes go through this, like I said you are monogamous by nature, but you’re wrong about the feeling, if you stop fighting it, it will be the most beautiful thing you could ever imagine, you are very luck Nick”.

“Lucky? How can I even talk to her?”

Fray smiled, but smiled as though she was hiding more information that was crucial to Nick “You might not have to” there was a pause and her smile turned sinister “I don’t doubt with your looks that she is probably going through the same thing…” Frays eyes dancing up and down Nick.

“Really?” he asked breathing deeply and trying to hold in the breath. While contemplating how such a lovely Vixen could ever feel like this over him.

“Really, Now get out of here you scared the shit out of me running in here clenching your chest, I have other patients you know!”

Nick nodded taking several deep breathes before he stood up and made his way to the door.

“Thanks again” said Nick still breathing like he had just drowned.

“Go get em tiger” yelled out Fray after him, letting out a jestful hiss.

“Yes he fucking does” hissed an infuriated voice. Nick looked up to see Fangmyer take a stride over him, Delgato went to put his paws on Fangmyer chest to stop his advances, only to have Fangmyer bowl him over, pushing him several feet, Delgato sliding across the ground from the force of the push. Chuck saw Fangmyer bounding towards him, chuck began stuttered and stammered looking for an excuse, his face was riddled with fear and disbelief, he held his paws up in front of him as if asking Fangmyer to stop, blabbering all sorts of excuses, when they failed he tried to pull the law card on him. “Stand down or ill –“ Fangmyer simply hissed as loud as he could ignoring every word he drooled, the noise Fangmyer made was spine tingling powerful. He reached Chuck and grabbed him by the scruff lifting him high in the air and punching him square in the face, he then dropped him to his feet and threw a right hook; putting chuck on the ground next to Nick. Fangmyer straddled him and began to hook in, his eyes had become slits and his throat made a frightful noise.

@articianne 

“Fang’s stop” cried Delgato who ran up and tried in vain to pull him off only to be again thrown down by Fangmyer’s enormous size. Delgato swiftly stood up and pulled out his taser. “OFF NOW FANGMYER!” he cried holding the air taser in his direction. Fangmyer stopped for a moment looking over his shoulder at Delgato, Chuck was underneath Fangmyer his paws trying in vain to shield his battered and bruised face; whimpering “Stop please” over and over. Fangmyer turned back to Chuck; pushing his paws aside and patting down his pockets with his giant paws until he found the bag of Nick’s money, then he pat him down his left side to get the keys to Nick’s cuffs. Fangmyer stood off Chuck pointing down to him “Don’t move, don’t fucking move or I’ll be back over you, you little prick” he warned, the manic violence Fangmyer had spiralled into making his whole body shiver and shake with rage. Fang’s moved over to Nick placing the money in his pocket and the key in his paw cuffs. Delgato shook aiming the taser at him “Don’t Fangmyer! Don’t unlock those cuffs” he warmed Fangmyer; whose eyes returned to normal turned the key, not breaking eye contact with Delgato. Nick sloppily pushed himself to his feet; helped up by Fangmyer. “You want to sit back and watch this prick bully a cripple, bully a friend, then take the shot, but if you don’t get me down, I will make you look just like him” explained Fangmyer calmly pointing down on Chuck. “Fangmyer, he’s new-“began Delgato in Chucks defence. “He was warned” interrupted Fangmyer, dragging his claw through his fur and over his ears before pointing at Delgato, “and now you have been; stay away from Nick”. Delgato still had the taser aimed at Fangmyer, then slowly moved it over to Nick, Fangmyer hissing as he did so. “The money Nick” began Delgato ignoring Fangmyer “you need to return the money you stole” “I didn’t steal the money” replied Nick in a breathless, bitter whisper, his chest burnt, his throat was dry and his spine throbbed rhythmically. “How did you get that money then? I mean, I don’t mean to insult, but… look at you” Nick looked himself up and down from his scruffy fur to his torn pants, and chuckled in agreement, though Delgato was right; it did insult him. “I was a cop Delgato… I was one of you…”corrected Nick. “You weren’t really” Delgato wanted to reply; after all Jack and Maria had told the ZPD. But he saw the look in Fangmyer’s eyes, in his old partner’s eyes, anger and disgust. Delgato slowly lowered the taser placing it in the holster. “Nick where did you get the money?” he asked one last time using all his civility. Nick pointed his thumb over his shoulder to the medical centre, “Fray, the old chief medical officer at the ZPD”. Delgato sighed placing his face into his open paw, disgraced in himself “Bogo’s old partner…” Nick didn’t reply he just nodded. “Nick, I’m-“ “Never going to hassle him again and keep that piece of shit away from him” finished Fangmyer pointing down to Chuck; who was on his paw and knees, only now getting up; with great diffictuly. Delgato conceded in agreement, he began his way over to Nick and instantly Fangmyer’s fur stood on edge and he pivoted so he was blocking Nick. “I just need the paw-cuffs Fang’s” affirmed Delgato, unable to make eye contact with the cold glare of Fangmyer. “Don’t call me that, we are not friends” corrected Fangmyer. “I just need the Cuff’s Fangmyer” Fangmyer turned to Nick unlocked the second cuff and turned shoving them at Delgato. “Now, get out of here, I’m sure Jack will need a full report as to why the new guy needs to go see Fray for stitches”. Delgato placed the paw cuffs on the back of his belt; tipped his hat and turned to help Chuck to his feet. Nick and Fangmyer just stood on the concrete, Nick went to leave and Fangmyer shook his head. “No, were not leaving, they are” he confirmed. Delgato and Chuck were getting into their cruiser when Chuck stopped halfway into the car. “You just think your untouchable don’t you cat? You’re going to regret this, you to fox” he threatened pulling his thumb across his throat as if saying he will kill them. Fangmyer just stood stern and strong “Get out of here, you punk ass bitch, before I even it up for you” he snarled in a threat. Chuck got in the car and instantly it pulled away from the curb. “Are you okay Nick?” asked Fangmyer his eyes not leaving the cruiser.   Nick nodded placing his hands in his pockets and then pulling out the bag of notes, forgetting for a moment he had it. “Fangmyer take a seat” he explained pointing to a nearby bench. Fangmyer adhered instantly without thought, he walked over and sat down placing his head in his paws and rubbing his eyes. “Idiot” he grumbled; insulting himself, Fangmyer was annoyed that he had lost his temper in front of so many witnesses. He did it for all the right reasons, but hated when he lost control. “I’m sorry Nick” he sighed. “What for?” replied Nick “for helping me? For being a good cop?” “For losing my cool” Nick smiled and punched his arm “Everyone loses their cool sometimes, look wait here” ordered Nick getting up and hobbling off with great difficulty, his back still feeling the aftershock of Chucks assault. Fangmyer waited several minutes starring at the table when he heard Nick sit back at the bench, a coffee placed in front of Fangmyer. Nick looked into his eyes with a smile, Fangmyer picked up the coffee cup, as he went to sip it Nick also through a punnet of blueberries on the table, it slid to a halt between them. There was silent before the two of them erupted into laughter. “It’s good to have you back Nicky” “Most of me…” corrected Nick “Any of you Nick” retorted Fangmyer “Fangmyer, you said Chuck would have to see Fray, but she’s no longer the chief medical officer at the ZPD?” Fangmyer nodded sipping on his coffee before replying. “That’s right; but she made such a name for herself that they shut down the medical wing at the ZPD and she was offered the contract, as well as several other precincts and large companies in Zootopia, she’s doing quite well for herself. I heard she has six or seven other doctors working for her as well, with two specialists”. “Holy cow, that’s amazing” gasped Nick. Fangmyer’s fur on the back of his neck had returned to normal and his eye were soft and calm as they usually were, his smile emitting brightly from his face. “Yeah, it’s amazing for her, but I still don’t think she’s happy, she hasn’t been the same since Bogo…but you understand that I’m sure…” Nick sipped on his coffee following it up with a pawful of blueberries. “Yep”.  

“I’m so sorry Nick” she explained.

Nick tapped her back twice “It’s okay… I would’ve done the same…” He knew what she spoke about, she was sorry she didn’t tell him about Maria, but how could she.

Fray took a breath and composed herself, taking a step back and letting go of Nick.

“So…. What happened after?” she asked; a need to know burnt deep in her gut.

Nick smiled “I died…” he confirmed “I guess to help you imagine losing her ..., it would be like losing Bogo….only, he didn’t die, he just ceased to exist, or never existed”.

Fray took a hard swallow, hearing Bogo’s name still gave her an empty hit to the guts, but she nodded in acknowledgment knowing what Nick was trying to say.

“So what have you done for the past year? I heard you had a daughter?”

Nick’s stomach twisted and he shut his eyes to centre himself.

“I have been living on a park bench” he explained with no shame “and I haven’t seen my daughter…ever…I mean, I have, but only from afar”

“Why only from afar?”

Nick’s eyes looked at her as if she should know the answer but answered her regardless “Jack and Maria”.

Fray dropped her head, guilt rushing over her followed by disgust, that Maria and Jack would stop Nick from seeing his kit.

“I’m sorry”.

“Jack and Maria picked me apart in the court room for custody, nothing I said mattered, they had me completely hook line and sinker…no job, I could barely walk… Heck even my policing certificate was null and void”.

“What do you mean your policing was null and void? You were one of the best officers the ZPD had…”

“It was all a sham, the whole lot; I only passed the academy because they needed me to. It was a set up from the beginning”.

“Oh nick” gasped Fray hugging him again.

“Why don’t you get a new job?” continued Fray still hugging him. Nick wanted to push her away, physical contact making him feel physically ill.

Nick pushed her back, to give himself space and to also gesture to himself.

“Who’s going to hire, a shifty, disabled fox? Huh?”

Fray quickly turned remembering what she had found, she went to her draw without a word and began to rummage through it, she picked up a folded shirt that she kept in her top draw; the blood stained police shirt of Bogo, the one he wore the night he was attacked.

For a moment, she hugged it and held it close to her chest taking in a deep sniff, each time she looked upon it, she felt dead inside, she didn’t wash it, she didn’t want to lose whatever she had left of him in the stained fabric.

“Bogo’s shirt…” gasped Nick covering his mouth with his paw in shock, the view of the blood sending a shiver of guilt and sadness through every inch of his fur.

Fray nodded without looking back, tightening her hug on the shirt.

She then ran her paw over it until she came to the top chest pocket of the shirt; she unclipped the button and fiddled around; inside was a small rectangular piece of paper with a name and a number, that had been partially stained by the blood of Bogo.

She turned passing it to Nick, who flicked it around in his paws before raising an eyebrow.

“What’s this?”

Fray looked to the ground tucking the shirt between her folded arms.

“A final present from Bogo…”she explained before she let out a chuckle “you know he thought you were one of the best and most dedicated officers he ever met, when we use to talk he never had a bad word to say about you. “I wish I had more officers like Wilde” he would explain”

Nick was lost for words and stood trying to tighten his quivering lip.

“A lady came and gave Bogo this card and made a complaint against Jack, I hope it helps”

Fray walked to the open draw of her desk and gently placed Bogo’s shirt back inside, her paw rubbing smoothly over the rough fabric before she closed it away.

“Now, where were we?” she explained turning with a smile.

She picked up a tube of liquid and squeezed some out onto her paw, rubbing it into the back of Nick’s neck.

“What’s that?” he explained with his head down as she kneaded the warm liquid into his fur

“Fleas” replied Fray monotone, straight back into work mode.

“Right”

Fray then went through several cupboards and draws and placed several pills into a small disposable cup.

“Take these” she ordered, handing Nick the concoction of medicine.

“Do you have water?” asked Nick a little parched and worried he would choke on the mountain of pills.

Before he even finished his sentence Fray was holding a cup of water just in front of him.

Nick smirked taking the cup in his paw and one after another swished down the pills.

“Heart worm, Tick, general antibiotics, vitamins and minerals” she affirmed before Nick could ask what the pills were for.

Fray who then went to a cupboard came out with a thermometer between two fingers. “I’m going to need your temperature” she explained dawning on him.

Nick’s jaw dropped and he held his paws up defensively “Ah, no thanks” he stuttered.

She looked at Nick with a tilt of her head, confused at Nick’s actions, until the light bulb clicked.

“Eww, in your mouth Nick” she grumbled with a roll of her eyes.

“Oh… yeah that’s what I thought you meant” chuckled Nick grabbing it swiftly and placing it between his lips.

Fray who watched Nick; smiled deviously

“WAIT!” she cried out loud as she began looking around as if scared “NICK! WRONG ONE! I gave you a rectal one!” she cried. “Spit it out, spit it out!”

“ARGH” Nick coughed and splattered spitting the thermometer into the bin below and sticking his tongue out; clawing at it.

Fray let out a cackle slapping her knee at Nick’s reaction

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry, I was just kidding Nick” she giggled “I couldn’t help myself”.

Nick was mad for only a second before he also let out a laugh, knowing she hustled him good, before getting a fit of the giggles.

Fray leant down with the resonance of a laugh to pick up the thermometer from the bin, shaking it twice and checking the temperature.

A concerned look passing her face, “He’ll need a jab” she confirmed to herself.

Nick was still laughing as he went back to taking his pills one after the other.

While Nick was preoccupied with the pills Fray rolled the leg of his pants up, pinched his thigh and jabbed a needle into him.

“YOUCH!” shouted Nick taken off guard.  “Take it easy! I still feel pain ya know”.

“Big baby” chuckled Fray while gently pushing the liquid from the needle into his body. The laughter slowly trickled off.

“Nick…. I thought you were dead….” explained Fray; while focusing on the needle.

Nick sighed “Me to…”

“So what are you doing back?”

The vixen from the park that stuck up for Nick crossed his mind the second Fray asked.

But he just smiled and replied “I don’t know”.

Fray pulled the needle from Nicks thigh “Well you can’t very well get back on your feet dressed like that”.

“Uh, Fray, I’m broke” clarified Nick, as if Fray couldn’t see that for herself.

Fray turned to her desk and opened up her handbag that sat on the left hand side of her computer, she pulled out her purse and withdrew a substantial pawful of cash out before putting her purse back, she then turned her attention to the top draw of her desk and opened a small, tin safety box that resided within, turning the key twice to the left; only to fish out more money, she then turned presenting the wad of notes to Nick.

“Whoa, hey, no way, I’m not taking your money” he argued putting his paws out in protest.

“Nick take it, please take it”.

“Fray I don’t even have money to pay for the treatments you have just given me, I’m not taking your money”.

Fray pushed her paw harder so the money was against Nick’s chest.

“The treatment was free, you’re a police officer”.

“Yeah I was” explained Nick pushing the cash back at Fray.

“Nick, I wouldn’t give it to you if I couldn’t afford it” she argued pushing back at Nick

“Fray listen-“

“NO! You listen, this is the very god damn least I could do! The very least” she confirmed, her lip quivering.

“Take the money Nick…please…”

“But what about you?” replied Nick gently placing his paw around the cash, nervous that he was taking her hard earned money.

Fray sighed, her paw and Nicks gently touching.

“When Bogo died…he left me everything… His superannuation, his house, his whole inheritance, how do you think I had the money to start my practice, you don’t have to worry about me Nick”.

“He really loved you, didn’t he?”

Fray smiled, but her eyes cried “We loved each other”

Nick held the money in his paw and looked at her

“I will be paying you this back” he confirmed.

Fray smiled “I knew you’d say that, well you’re all done Nicky” she smiled grabbing his arm and helping him to stand.

Nick got up and Fray leant down grabbing his walking stick, handing it to him.

“Fray, thanks for everything”.

Fray placed her paw on his shoulder, “Don’t be a stranger Nick, come see me whenever you want, or if you ever need anything”.

Nick looked at the cash in his paws before returning a truly heartfelt smile to Fray and shook the money