Chapter Text
1: Love Lost, Life Found, Hope Restored
XxX
1435 hours, medical barracks, Dak Toe, South Veitnam:
ATTENTION ALL MAMMALS, ATTENTION ALL MAMMALS: INCOMMING WOUNDED … ALL NURSES AND DOCTORS TO YOUR STATIONS!!! comes over the unit loudspeaker.
“What’s the count this time I wonder!” inquires small mammal head nurse Judith Hopps, mostly to herself as she hurries to scrub in.
“I heard there are around thirty, overflow from the Thet Offensive, mostly evacuated from Saigon this time.” answered another nurse, a black tailed deer doe.
“My god, they keep coming. I don’t know how much more of this I can handle on a daily basis.”
“I know, I know. I’ll see you in a bit Judy, I’m scheduled for triage today…”
…
Quickly getting scrubbed in, Judy assists captain ‘Hawkeye’ Pierce, practical joker, wise ass and surgeon extraordinaire.
Across from Hawkeye stands captain ‘B.J.’ Hunnycutt, one of the other top ER surgeons in the outfit.
Then there’s Major Frank Bunns, unit stick-in-the-mud and chief snitch, who is assisted by Margrett ‘Hot Lipps’ O’Houlihaan, his chief squeeze.
…
As the casualties enter the ER, time flies, and soon the soldiers that were deemed most likely to survive were stitched up and sent to the recovery ward.
“Ok” says a tired Hawkeye “Bring in the next contestant!”
Reading from the hastily prepared triage chart, Judy is stunned…
“Hopps … HOPPS!” says Pierce loudly, finally breaking her from her state “who, what and how bad?”
“Umm sorry doctor … Wilde, Nicholas P., Staff Sergeant, First Division, red fox, species Vulpes Vulpes. Injuries include perforation to center of right ear, total loss of left ear, burns to left side of face, muzzle, arm, leg and body. Numerous bullet wounds to extremities and torso.”
“I doubt if the poor bastard will live the night” comments Pierce sadly “but we’ll do our best. Let’s go team…”
…
After five and one-half grueling hours of desperate surgery by not only Pierce and Hopps, but with Hunnycutt and his nurse assisting, the soldier was closed up and moved to recovery.
Following Wilde to recovery, Judy is stopped by an inquisitive Pierce.
“Hopps, what’s the deal with you and the fox? I’ve never seen you space out and then be so focused.”
“It’s … it’s kind of a long sad story.”
“We’re both beat, get some rest and we can talk about it in the morning if you’d like.”
“Ok, see you later then …”
Watching Pierce disappear towards the male barracks, aptly dubbed the ‘Swamp’ Judy waits until he’s out of sight, then continues on to the recovery ward.
Finding Nick’s bed set along a wall, closest to the nurse’s station where staff has immediate access to him in case something happens, Judy pulls up a chair and takes a seat, staring remorsefully at the battered mammal in front of her.
“Oh Nick …”
Taking his large uninjured paw in her two small ones, Judy finally gives in to sleep with tears in her large purple orbs.
…
Sometime in the middle of the night, Judy feels movement …
“Nick?”
“Nnnngggh! … hu-hurt…!”
“I-I’m sorry. Here, let me turn up the morphine drip…”
“Wa-water?”
Hurriedly reaching over to the rolling table, Judy grabs the glass of tepid water, knowing that anything would be appreciated.
“Here Nick, drink slowly or you’ll get sick.”
“Th-thanks … Ju-Judy? Judy H-Hopps?”
“Yes Nick, it’s Judy.”
“Wh-what are y-you doin’ in … in this shithole?”
“I’m a nurse Nick. You’re in a surgical hospital here in Dak Toe.”
“Wh-why here?”
“After my brother Ronald was killed over here, I had to come.”
“I thought you wanted to be a cop…” says Nick a bit more evenly with the morphine slowly kicking in.
“They were still not taking small mammals after I graduated high school, but since nurses were always in high demand, I figured I could still make the world a better place by doing that. And here I am. Which brings me to something that’s bothered me for years … why didn’t you show up that night?” she asks.
“Your dad had the cops waiting for me at our usual meeting place. He had me charged with destruction of private property and with stalking you. The cops gave me the choice of the military or jail. I chose the military and was shipped off to boot camp that night.
“No phone calls for nine months, then straight to the ‘Nam after boot camp. I tried calling when I finally got the chance, but it was always your dad who answered … and promptly hung up. I tried writing, but never got a reply so I figured that he was intercepting the letters as well. I even tried to have Gideon get letters to you, but I guess even that failed.”
“Nick, Gideon tried to date me not long after you disappeared. After I said ‘NO’ several times we got in a big fight, he grabbed me, I kicked him and he … he clawed me.”
Seeing the fire come into Nick’s eyes, Judy quickly tried to diffuse the situation “Nick, I pressed charges against him and he spent a couple of years in jail for felony assault. I never heard from him after that.”
“And here we are, years and miles later…” mused Nick, calming slightly.
“Yea … small world I guess…”
“So … who’s the lucky buck?”
“Excuse me?”
“You’re pregnant, I can smell the change in your scent…”
“It-it’s not a buck…
“It’s not? Really?”
“Some of the other nurses and I were on liberty a few months ago and we got kinda … make that a LOT drunk. I woke up in the arms of a … fox, one who looked a lot like you. He’s the only mammal I’ve ever slept with and look at me now - pregnant.” she says in a sad tone.
“Wait … just wait … that didn’t happen to be at the Stork Club in Siagon on a Friday night around two months or so ago did it?” asks a flabbergasted Nick.
“Wh-why yes…!”
“I remember being drunk in the same club about that same time. I remember going to bed with this beautiful bunny doe with grey and white fur and big purple eyes, just like yours. When I woke up, she was gone…”
Staring with mouths wide open, the reality of the situation suddenly hit both mammals like a ton of bricks!
“It-it can’t be!” exclaims a totally shocked Judy.
“My kits? You’re carrying my kits?”
“Nick, I-”
Pressing a finger to Judy’s lips, Nick quiets the apprehensive doe. “Shhhh, it’s ok Judy.”
“But-”
“Judy, do you have any idea what I was going to do that night? That night so long ago in Bunnyburrow?”
“……”
“I was going to propose to you. I loved you then, and I still love you to this day. When you get a chance-”
Suddenly, the pair were interrupted by a very smallish brown bear “The Staff Sergeant’s personal possessions.” he says, handing Judy a small bag.
Suppressing a giggle, Judy introduces Nick to the unit clerk.
“Nick, this is Radar, Radar - Nick. Radar always seems to have this … sense about him, knowing things will happen at least a bit ahead of time.”
“Ma’am … sir.”
“Not a sir young mammal, I have to work for a living.” lightly teases Nick.
“Yes sir, sorry sir.” says Radar as he leaves.
“Meanwhile …” says Nick.
“Nick, what?”
“Take the stuff out of the bag Judy. Please.”
Gently emptying the contents of the paper bag onto the rolling table/desk, Judy stops short upon seeing the engagement ring among the items.
“Nick … no.”
“Why?”
“I-I can’t!”
“Why not? I’ve waited almost five years to ask you to marry me, and now you say no?”
“But the circumstances…”
“Damn the circumstances. Yea, you’re pregnant, and since they’re my kits, so what?”
“But-”
“Look, we both know that I’ll never get out of here alive-”
“That’s not-”
“Yes Judy, it’s true. Firstly, you never were a good liar, and secondly, I already know how messed up I am. I’ll be lucky to live long enough to see the sun come up and we both know it.”
“Nick, please…” begs a tearful Judy.
“I don’t want my … our kits to be born out of wedlock, so please marry me.”
“Here, now?”
“Sure, why not?”
“But it’ll take so much time to organize, I’ll have to-”
“Here’s all of your paperwork, all you need to do is sign it” interrupts a newly returned Radar “and Father Mulcahey will be here in a couple of minutes. I think that Hawkeye and B.J. are gonna be you’re witnesses.”
“I should have known.” says a still tearful Judy. “Thanks Radar!”
“Well, I think it’s a travesty!” comes from the head of nursing, Major Margret O’Houlihaan.
“I don’t recall asking your opinion major.” replies Judy hotly “besides, don’t you and major Bunns have a closet somewhere to go screw in?”
“Listen you little-” begins the major.
“That’s quite enough major” interrupts colonel Putter, the commanding officer of the medical unit.
“But sir…” major O’Houlihaan argues.
“But sir nothing, you and Bunns need to get lost and leave this poor doe alone.”
Giving Judy and company the meanest evil eye she can, the head nurse departs.
“Sorry to create so much turmoil, sir.” begins Judy.
“Think nothing of it Hopps.” politely returns the old goat.
“But sir why-”
“Am I here? Simple, Hunnycutt couldn’t make it, talking to his wife I think, so I took it upon myself to come. And I have a little wedding present for you.”
Giving the slightly confused and mostly upset doe a kind smile, colonel Putter continues “I know that you only have a few months left in your present tour, so I took the initiative to have you escort the Staff Sergeant home, where you’ll finish your duty days attached to the Tri-Burrow VA facility near Bunnyburrow, where you’ll have a full time position there afterwards. Radar took care of the details.”
Giving the goat a tender hug “Bless you sir.” was all a tearful Judy could say.
“Shall we get on with it?” asks the only recently arrived Father Mulcahey.
“I’m sorry I don’t have a proper wedding ring for you sweetheart” begins Nick.
“I, ummm, think these should do!” interrupts Hawkeye, pawing two simple gold bands to Judy.
“Hawkeye, how, why?”
“One of my many failed attempts. Wear them in good health, they’ve already outlasted my attempts.” he says with a quick wink.
…
After a quick, barebones ceremony with Nick and Judy simply repeating the standard vows and exchanging rings, everyone leaves the newlyweds alone for the little time that everyone knows that they have left together. The nursing staff on duty thoughtfully set up rolling curtains around Nick’s bed to give the couple at least the illusion of privacy.
“Some honeymoon huh?” asks Nick quietly. “Pregnant wife in the arms of her dying mate on their wedding night…”
“I always dreamed about marrying you and having your kits.” Judy confesses softly.
“I’m sorry that I won’t be able to give you any kind of a life.” bemoans the todd.
“But you have Nick, you gave me our kits.”
“It seems like so little …”
“I know, but it’ll have to do. I held out hope for nearly five years of finding you, and even though we’ll be together for less than a day, our kits will always remind me of the time we’ve had together.”
“Judy, there’s an old tradition … called marking, that I’d really like to adhere to…”
“What…?”
“I believe rabbits do something similar, chinning I think it’s called, to keep track of your kits … we call it marking. It signifies that you’re MY mate and every other mammal needs to keep their paws off.”
“Then by all means, yes … please do.”
After rubbing his muzzle over Judy’s head, ears and shoulders, Nick lays back down, pretty much exhausted.
As the couple slowly drifts off to sleep together, Judy can’t help but sadly realize that Nick may never wake up again…
…
After an indeterminate amount of time, Judy’s acute hearing picks up a labored breathing pattern from Nick and instinctually knows that his time in this life is finally up.
“Nick?”
“I-I’m sorry s-sweetheart … but it-it’s time for me to go.”
“Oh God … Nick.” chokes Judy through fresh tears.
Turning his head and giving his new bride a last kiss, “I … love … you … Judith … Laverne … Wildeeee.” and Nick breathes his last.
Unable to control her tears, Judy weeps for her lost mate.
…
Soon, Father Mulcahey shows up to perform last rites (sent no doubt by Radar), as Hawkeye covers Nick and Judy is consoled by another nurse.
“I’m sorry Hopps” begins Hawkeye, but I need to call it … time of death 0421 hours, February second, 1968.”
“Can I have just another second please?” asks Judy “I need to get a few things from Nick if I may.”
Seeing the puzzled looks from the small gathering, she qualifies her request “I want to get his spare ID tag and his wedding ring. I’m sorry, but I don’t trust graves registration to get them back to me.”
As Hawkeye reaches to help, Judy stops him “NO! … please … let me. This is the last time I get to touch him … to catch his scent … so please.”
“I understand, go ahead.”
As Judy removes Nick’s ID tag and chain, she places it, along with Nick’s wedding band, around her own neck, kissing each gently and lovingly.
“You gonna be ok Hopps?” asks Pierce.
Shaking her head sadly as she watches Nick being wheeled away “No, I don’t think so. At least not until the kits are born … then … maybe.”
Seeing the concerned look that he’s giving her, Judy continues “No, I’m not suicidal, I’ve got kits to birth and raise, Nick’s kits. He was going to propose to me one night several years ago. But my father had him arrested on some trumped-up charges … so Nick joined the service rather than go to jail. Nick told me he wrote me a lot of letters, none of which I received. They were all intercepted by my father and by another fox who Nick though was his friend. I’m going to confront them both when I get home.”
“Are you sure that is the best thing to do my child?” asks Father Mulcahey.
“Probably not, but it’s going to happen nonetheless. I need to let my father and Gideon know how they’ve destroyed two lives, Nick’s and mine. We could have been happily married all these years if not for them.”
“You don’t know that for sure.” admonishes the priest.
“It doesn’t really matter at this point Father. Besides, what are they gonna do? Send me to Veitnam? Take away my birthday? I-I just want to get Nick home and have his kits, then maybe I can find some peace. If you’ll excuse me, I need to get some rest, then call home and have it out with my father. I want Nick to be buried in our family cemetery, not some neglected hole in the ground in Happy Town where his mom is buried.”
Watching Judy slowly leave the recovery room, Pierce speaks “I hate to say it padre, but I agree with Hopps on this one. Her dad and the other mammal both need a reality check.”
“Oh, I wholeheartedly agree, I just wanted her to at least get an alternate point of view, just in case.”
…
After several hours of not very restful sleep, and knowing the time difference, Judy rises and heads to the orderly room to make a dreaded phone call.
Noticing that Radar is still on duty, she motions questionably toward one of the few landlines that can be used for calls to Animalia.
After giving a slight nod of approval, Radar stands and heads for the door “Go ahead, I know you know the number, I’ll be back when you’re finished.”
“Thanks Radar…”
Dialing the Hopps burrow main number, Judy waits somewhat patiently as the overseas connection is made.
Answering on roughly the fifth ring, Judy hears her mother’s voice over the static filled landline “Hello?”
“Hi mom, it’s me, Judy.”
“Stu … Stu, it’s Judy on the phone…”
“Hey there Jude the Dude!” comes her father’s voice.
“How are you Bun-Bun?” Bonnie asks.
“I’m … not fine actually.” comes Judy’s voice, heavily laden with emotion.
“Judy … Judy, what’s wrong?” asks a concerned Bonnie.
“I-I … ummm-”
“Let me guess” interrupts Stu “you finally found the buck that knocked you up and he took off!”
“Yes dad, I found the mammal that got me pregnant and no he’s not around-”
“That’s what ya get for sleepin’ around-” again interrupts Stu.
“Let’s get something straight right now!” interrupts Judy right back heatedly “I know for a fact that you and mom both slept around before you were married, so if you’re smart, you won’t ever go there again. Secondly, it was my first time sleeping with anyone. Next, it wasn’t a buck or even a hare … it was a fox, a red fox. His name was Nick Wilde.”
“That name sounds familiar.” says Bonnie.
“It should, Nick was the fox I was dating in high school.”
“So, he knocked you up and took off! What do you expect from a-” asserts Stu.
“Just so you know dad, Nick died in my arms this morning. If you say one more negative thing about him, I swear I’ll end this call and you’ll never hear from me again.”
“But he left you just before graduation and never-”
“Yea, and now I know why. He told me that you had him arrested on some trumped-up charges and had him shipped off to the military that same night. He never got a chance to call.”
“I never-”
“Yea you did dad, it sounds just like you. Then all of a sudden, Gideon Grey shows an interest in me … after years of teasing me, mocking me for being a stupid carrot farmer? I know that you colluded with him because before he died, Nick told me that he sent a lot of letters to me both to the burrow and through Gid. And guess what! I never got a single letter from him in over four years, not one, from either one of you! That’s NOT the Nick I knew and loved.”
“Stu?” asks Bonnie.
“Bah! That fox was never gonna amount to anything! Father gone, mother working three jobs-”
“He had a full academic scholarship to Zootopia Law School dad, he was going to be a lawyer.”
“Is that true Judy?” asks Bonnie.
“It’s true mom, I saw the acceptance letter myself. And to top it all off” with her voice wavering “he was going to propose to me that night.”
“So he says.” infers Stu.
“I’m wearing the ring now dad, he kept it on a chain along with his ID. All these years…”
“I still don’t believe-”
“Right now I could care less what you believe. What I want to know is why dad. Why did you put Nick down and then send Gideon after me?”
“Because Gideon had a future-”
“Before he was arrested you mean? Do you want to know why I had him arrested? After I told him numerous times that I wasn’t interested in dating him he got mad. Then you do know what he did? He clawed me dad. HE CLAWED ME! That’s why I stayed away for over a month, to let the marks heal and my fur to grow over the scars.”
“I-I had no idea-”
“But you still don’t care do you?”
“Not really, no. At least you won’t be bringing that pelt home with you-”
“But I am dad. I’m claiming spousal privilege – I’m bringing Nick home and he’s going to be buried in the veteran’s part of the family cemetery.”
“Over my dead body you will.”
“If that’s what it takes, then so be it.”
“JUDY!” exclaims a horrified Bonnie.
“The family - specifically dad – owes me that much.”
“What are you going to do when you get back, spend the rest of your life mourning some dead fox?” asks Stu pointedly.
“To begin with, yes, I’ll mourn my husband, then I’ll have his, that is our, kits. And you don’t need to worry about anything else dad, because as of right now, you are no longer a part of my life. I told you before not to bad mouth Nick and I meant it.
“Mom, if you want to continue this conversation, get dad away from the phone, I’m through with him.”
After a brief but very heated conversation in the background, Bonnie returns to the phone.
“All right dear, your father’s gone.”
“As I was saying earlier, yes, I’ll mourn Nick and have our kits. My commanding officer has graciously allowed me to serve out the remaining three months or so of my enlistment as a surgical nurse at the Tri-Burrow VA. Also, the psych councilor here on base has signed off on all of my courses and I’ll have my psych degree by the time I start full time at the VA as an in-house, fully accredited psych nurse. To top it all off, the kits and I will receive Nick’s death benefits since he’s considered a combat casualty and we were legally married before he died. We won’t need help from the family, especially from dad!”
“Thank heavens for small favors. Don’t worry about a place for Nick, I’ll make sure he has a spot next to Ronald in the veterans wing of the cemetery.”
“Reserve a place there beside him for me please … please.”
“Of course dear. Now … how many kits? You weren’t sure the last time we talked…”
“From what we could tell there are two, mostly foxlike because of Nick’s dominant genes. I guess we’ll know more about the sexes by the time I get home, I should be far enough along by then to tell.”
“Names? Do you have any names picked out yet?”
“Not for sure, but I still have around four or five months until I’m due according to the ob/gyn here on post. I guess it’s a happy medium between a normal doe and a normal vixen’s terms so is still have plenty of time. But …”
“But?”
“If one’s a todd, I’m going to name him after Nick. It’s only fair after all.”
“I agree. And if one’s a vixen?”
“I don’t know … I’ll have to wait and see I guess.”
“So, off on yet another subject … what are you going to do for a place to live? And what about transportation?”
“There’s transition housing close to the VA, I can stay there until I can find something fairly close to work. And I know you’d like me to stay in the burrow but … I can’t. I don’t want to be around dad, and I don’t want the kits around him either. Pop-Pop was bad enough, but dad…”
“I totally understand sweetie. We can look for something for you to drive after you get back as well. Something like a van or maybe a station wagon?”
“Yea, I think that’d work. I’ve got to start thinking about the kits after all.”
“Is there anything else you can think of that you might need when you get back?” asks Bonnie.
“Not right now. I’m still dead tired from being up all night with Nick until he passed. The few hours of sleep I did manage to get we just enough to make me feel worse than when I lay down.”
“Well you go lay down and rest some more, you’re resting for three remember, and the added stress can’t be good for the kits.”
“Thanks mom, I’ll try …”
“And don’t worry about Nick, there’s a nice place right by Ronald that I think he’d enjoy.”
“I’ll do my best, and … thanks. I love you, you know that, right?”
“Of course sweetheart. Now, off with you … go rest.”
“Ok, bye…” as Judy hangs up the phone, Radar enters and takes his place behind the duty desk.
“Thanks Radar, I’m gonna go lay down and try to get some sleep.”
“I’ll try to see that no one disturbs you. Good night lieutenant.”
…
After dragging herself to her bunk, Judy finally collapses in a heap. With her mind and body well past her normal limits of endurance, Judy is finally able to get some restful sleep.
Some six plus hours later, another nurse, a female lynx named Tracy gently nudges Judy, just enough to wake her without startling her.
“Judy … Judy … Jude, please wake up. Colonel Putter needs to see you.”
“… Hmmm? Ok, just … give me a few minutes, ok?”
After washing her face and paws, Judy makes her way to her commander’s office.
Taping lightly on the door, she quickly hears “Come in.”
Stepping into the office, the first thing she notices is the hulking figure of a water buffalo.
“Lieutenant Hopps, I mean Wilde, this is colonel Bogo, your late husband’s commanding officer.”
“SIR!” she says a bit over loudly, snapping to attention and rendering a crisp salute.
“At ease lieutenant” responds the buffalo “I came here to personally offer my condolences for the loss of your husband. Staff Sergeant Wilde was one of my best mammals and will be greatly missed. He personally saved the lives of most of his platoon. He bugged the crap out of myself and my X.O. by making sure we were overprepared in the event that something like this happened.”
“It’s kind of you to say so sir.” was all Judy could think of to say “most mammals don’t carry such a high regard for foxes.”
“Mrs. Wilde, I pride myself in surrounding myself with the best officers and noncoms available, regardless of their species, and Nick was one of the best. Sergeant Wilde’s personal effects will be loaded onto the plane that will be taking both you and he back to the world leaving Siagon at precisely 0800 tomorrow morning. All except for this…”
As Judy looks on in partial shock, the buffalo extends a hoof, and in that hoof is a well-worn rabbit plushie with grey and white fur and large purple eyes.
“The guys always ribbed him about the thing, but he always said that he’d eventually meet up with the rabbit that this depicted. I guess he was right.”
Shakily reaching out and accepting the small toy, Judy couldn’t help but bring it to her nose and deeply inhale the scent of her beloved fox before clutching it tightly to her chest.
“This … needs to be buried with him if that’s ok” Judy manages to choke out. “I actually happen to have a similar one that closely resembles Nick. I’ve carried it around since the day he disappeared from home.”
“I’ll make sure that the mammals who dress him up back in the world realize that. I’m sure you’d like to keep it for as long as you can.”
“Yes, please.” she responds gratefully.
“There are a few other things I’d like to leave with you as well before I leave.”
Motioning to several small black boxes on Putter’s desk Bogo continues “Those are a purple heart, for being wounded or killed in battle, and a bronze star for outstanding bravery in the heat of combat. Nick deserved these as well as something else. I’ve put him in for a posthumous Animalian Medal of Honor. There are a lot of other soldiers still living today because of his actions, and I feel he deserves it.
“One final thing … I know this may seem a bit of an odd question since the service will be closed casket due to his facial injuries, but … would you prefer that Nick be buried in his dress blues or combat fatigues?”
Taking only seconds to decide, Judy answers “Fatigues sir. That’s the last thing I saw him in, so I think it’d be appropriate. Thank you for asking colonel.”
“You’re very welcome. If there’s nothing else colonel Putter, I’ll take my leave.”
“I thought you might want to hear what Nick’s commander had to say personally” says colonel Putter as the cape buffalo closes the door behind him. “That and to give you these” indicating a manilla folder. “Those are your travel orders and reassignment papers. You’ll need them in the morning. Now, I believe that there’s a bit of a going away party being held in your honor in the Swamp. Please at least show up and say your goodbyes to everyone, even if you don’t stay long.”
“I-I’ll do that and … thank you colonel, for … everything.” says Judy, giving the aged goat a tight hug.
…
Leaving the office with her papers in one paw and Nick’s rabbit plushie and medals clutched tightly in the other, Judy heads for first her quarters to drop off her travel and transfer papers, as well as Nick’s bunny, then to the Swamp, hoping that she can leave early and get a bit more rest.
Much to her surprise, the farewell sendoff was very subdued. No loud or raucous music, not a lot of alcohol, just tears from the females and honest well-wishes from the males. It turned out to be a sort of combination farewell party, kit shower, and wake.
The topper for the evening was being made an honorary member of the Swamp, with the award being presented by nonother that Hawkeye himself.
After around an hour and a half, Judy finally makes her way back to her bunk, only to discover that her things had already been neatly packed into her duffle bag, with her papers and Nick plushie arraigned neatly on her bunk. There was also a spare pack on top of the duffle, with a note stating that it was reserved for her kit’s new clothes and other essentials that she had received that evening.
Totally blown away by the outpouring of affection and support, a speechless Judy could only lay down and cry herself to sleep while tightly hugging both plushies.
…
Awoken by a light touch, Judy gazes at the wristwatch she still wore “Five? Why is it only five am?”
“Judy, you need to get a good shower and get ready to leave. There’s a chinook waiting to take you to Siagon so you can catch the Starlifter flight to Zootopia.”
“Ok. Thanks Sheila …”
As a still very tired bunny makes her way to the showers, Judy thinks over the past day and a half … the past three months actually.
Getting drunk, then managing to sleep with a mammal for the first and only time in her life (luckily it was Nick), and then ending up pregnant. Then to have Nick, the only mammal she had ever truly loved, come across the same operating table that she happened to be attending, and finally losing Nick the same night. Spending a few precious moments with him and finally marrying him were the only true bright spots in the entire ordeal.
Shaking off her current mood, knowing that she had a limited amount of time at present but would have lots of spare time for introspection once she and Nick were on their way to Zootopia, Judy quickly toweled off as best she could, then spent a few minutes in the only vastly under powered fur dyer that still worked and headed back to her bunk.
Arriving at her bunk, Judy is surprised to find a freshly laundered and pressed uniform hung on her locker. The thing that most caught her eye, was the nametag … J. WILDE!
Looking up through tear blurred eyes, she saw all of the nurses that weren’t in the O.R. lined up to offer their support. The biggest surprise was that major O’Houlihaan was there as well.
“Look Hopp-Wilde” begins Margret “while I may or may not approve of your choice in mates, I can at least wish you well with your kits. Be safe ok?”
“Thanks major, I appreciate it.”
Hugging each nurse, and doctor on her way to\ the door, Judy was appreciative that Hawkeye and B.J. carried her duffle and spare pack for her, leaving only her transfer papers and Nick’s plushie for her to carry.
As she followed the escort mammals into the back of the chinook idling on the helipad, she turns and sees Dak Toe Medical Center for the last time.