Undisclosed Military Zone - Northern Zooraq

2:06AM

"Wilde! Stay with me!"

"Ugh…"

Nick winced as the bullet lodged deeper into his muscle. He needed to stop moving or risk nerve damage, but he had caught sight of the sniper. He grit his teeth, a growl escaping his snout as he lifted the gun, aiming dead centre of the sniper's own chest. A flick, and he was down.

"That's enough, take cover. We'll handle it now!"

Finnick pushed him down below the bushes and gave a signal towards their teams. Just as they charged into the forest; some shots were fired. It didn't come from their side.

Nick heard a thud and immediately lifted his head, careful not to let it poke over the edge of the tall grass. Finnick laid out on the field, bleeding. His snout opened for a scream, but his vision swam. He crawled through the grass, wincing as the bullet dug further in. His body had been numb as first from shock, but now, a searing white-hot pain radiated from his shoulder. He was only mere inches away before he blacked out.

2 years later

Little John's Pub – Wilde Times, Zootopia

8:54PM

"You fool. You still aren't feeling guilty, are ya?"

"Don't be delusional, Finnick."

The older fox chuckled and helped to refill his shot glass.

"You're getting deployed again, aren't ya?"

Nick ignored the voice across him and continued downing another shot of vodka. Just a few years ago, as an innocent little cub cadet, he would have winced.

"He's drowning his emotions in vice in plain sight of the public. Zootopia' s finest, everyone."

Another voice drawled. Nick recognized the smug, too-serious tone anywhere. The Liondon accent was a dead giveaway on its own. As usual, the scoundrel was dressed as though he was out for a business meeting - not out for drinks with friends.

"Wilde."

"Savage."

"What, you respond to the limey but not your old man?"

Nick could almost feel Jack's eyes roll as the hare plopped down across him. The older fox's grimace deepened.

"You brat."

The smaller, but older fox nicked his ear. Nick tugged off his arm.

"Yes, he's getting deployed. I have the misfortune of being appointed to the same location as this fox."

Finnick regarded the hare with an eye of suspicion before pouring him a glass. Jack gave a nod of thanks before downing it. He set the glass heavily before him and sighed. Nick finally looked up then, raising an eyebrow.

"Still pining for her, bunny boy?"

Jack only snorted and Finnick's eyes narrowed looking from the hare to the fox.

"What are you dingbats talking 'bout? Who's 'her'? Code for the Northerners?"

It was Nick's turn to roll his eyes.

"Ex-girlf- "

"An acquaintance. We're acquaintances."

Right at that moment, Jack's phone buzzed. His paw reflexively shut down the phone but Nick caught sight of the caller ID and gave a loud chuckle.

"Your girlfriend's calling, Savage."

"Shut up Wilde."

"I'll pay you to answer it."

Jack's phone vibrated again and the hare pulled out the battery from the device.

"That's a tad dramatic, even for you. Could've just switched it off."

"If you're quite done antagonizing me Wilde, will you please follow me back to base? We have a lot of work to do."

Nick huffed and poured himself another shot, ignoring the hare's disapproving look. His snout was ready for a firm dressing down, but just then, a brawl broke out right behind them. Nick, especially considering he was pretty drunk, would normally sit this one out. But he was feeling particularly antsy.

"Wilde, don't you dare."

"I'll be fine, sweetie. Make sure pops is okay, hm?"

Before he knew it, he was up and headed right into the yelling match. It appears that a teenaged red fox and a timber wolf had decided to rumble over a stolen wallet.

"I know it was you, you mongrel!"

"Shut it big ears. I don't want your Noah-forsaken wallet!"

A punch was thrown and a growl followed.

"Alright younglings, knock it off."

"What's it to ya fox? Here to defend your sort?"

"Fuck off!"

Nick expertly dodged a punch, resting a paw on the offender's elbow and sweeping his foot to knock the younger fox off his feet.

"Hey kid, might want to return that before I call your momma."

"I didn't steal it!"

"Wilde, seriously!"

Jack hissed at his side, tugging at his elbow. Just as the thief fell flat on the ground, a huge wallet – definitely too big for a fox but the perfect size for a wolf slipped out of his hoodie.

"That's either a huge portfolio, or a…stolen wallet."

The young fox kicked him in his shin, grabbed the wallet and nearly made for the door – only to be tripped by Jack. The hare expertly pulled an arm behind his back, pressing him down to the floor helpless. Somewhere in the distance, Finnick had doubled over in belly laughter.

"That's quite enough from you."

Nick had come over to Jack then, a fist raised ready to deliver a punch, ready to avenge his shin. Jack raised his free paw to stop him, his ice blue eyes stern as ever.

"It's a kit! You don't want to get demoted for beating up a kit, do you?"

"Actually, I kinda do."

St Whisker's Private Hospital – Zootopia Central

9:26PM

"I'm sorry Judy. I know you have worked very hard. You are among the brightest students that I have ever mentored. I wish I could do more for you, but my paws are tied when it comes to this."

Judy tried hard to disguise her true emotions, but her ears betrayed her. This was the second year running. How long was it going to take before a position opened up in the college?! She had all the makings of an exemplary Professor. She's worked to the bone in the hospital's ER since med school as an upcoming surgeon and her papers had been met with great praise in medical journals. Where was, she going wrong?

"It's…It's fine Dr Horn."

"If it's any reassurance, the Doctor they chose over you only got where she was because of family connections. When you do get more successful, know that you got there all with your own hard work."

Judy's heart sunk. They chose Bellweather over her? The insidious ewe that had no business being anywhere near a hospital unless it was on her deathbed. Judy shook her head, clearing her head of the poisonous thoughts. The bespectacled ram looked down on her with pity.

"As always, I'm willing to endorse you again next year."

"With all due respect Dr Horn- "

Judy caught herself. There truly was no point in taking out her anger on Dr Horn. The ram had been nothing but supportive. He had no control over her fate. She took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, finally managing a few calm words.

"I'm just sorry I let you down."

He shook his head and patted her shoulder awkwardly. Judy managed a weak smile and watched after him as he walked off. Her paws sunk low into her white coat as they formed fists and she blinked hard, willing herself not to cry.

Five whole years of literal blood, sweat and tears - and they pick the hospital director's daughter over her.

Great. Just great.

A familiar, reassuring paw rested on her shoulder. It was Nurse Otterton. She gave her a sympathetic, motherly look and Judy managed a more sincere, reluctant smile for her.

"Dr Hopps, here are the reports you've requested for Janet Doe. Her wife, Jane, is waiting for you."

"Ah, thank you."

She had no time to mope. A doctor needs to always be ready to take care of their patients. A few short, discrete breaths and she was back. Professional and driven as ever.

Judy flipped through the clipboard, her paw resting over the result. An anxious elderly female deer stood over her wife, and was patting her paw gently.

"Well, Mrs Doe. It appears that the ulcer has reduced considerably. Your wife will be fine in a few days."

"Oh bless your heart, little bunny. I was so worried!"

The doe crossed over to give her a hug. Judy was startled for a few moments, but smiled and accepted it.

"Just doing my job, Mrs Doe. Now, when she wakes, make sure that she gets a leave of absence from work for at least a week or so. Mitigating stress is critical. She needs to take it easy and eat consistent meals at the appropriate times. A nurse will fill you in when your wife wakes."

"Of course, she has been working herself to death."

"Ah, Dr Hopps! I'm sorry to interrupt but there's a juvenile awaiting emergency treatment."

"Right away, Nurse Otterton. Excuse me Mrs Doe."

She nodded and gave Judy one last grateful pat.

As she walked over to the next bed, Judy took a double take. A young fox – not too young, but old enough to cause big trouble, laid passed out on the bed. There was a cut over his eyes and there were even more bruises all over his body. She reached for the clipboard and frowned at the scrawl and looked over at the bed.

"A pick pocketer?"

"Yes, Dr Hopps. He was caught stealing a wallet at a pub."

"Is that why he's handcuffed to the bed?"

"That's mostly the officer's doing. He's a known runner. It's apparently not his first offence."

Judy tutted and flipped through his charts. It didn't seem like there were any serious injuries. He just required a few stiches on his cut above his eye and he will be good to go. Well, to juvie that is.

"Well, he's still a week under eighteen. We need to call his parents."

"I've tried to get it out of him, but he was silent the entire time. He willingly gave his ID though, so it could be likely that he's an orphan but I'm not sure. He's not registered in any halfway houses and he doesn't have insurance. Judy's eyes softened but she still shook her head.

"Oh yes! He had a phone and I called the only emergency number listed. A lovely, concerned lady picked up. I think it was his girlfriend; she said she'll be right over."

Judy glanced over to the bedside where the phone was set. Her head tilted curiously, it appeared to be too nice of a phone for a young, orphaned thief. It didn't help either that it appeared to be far too small for a fox. If anything, it looked to be bunny-sized. It was connected to a charger. The screensaver displayed a beautiful, arctic fox – likely the young reynard' s girlfriend in question. Her mind nagged at her; she looked very familiar. She was wearing military regalia – Judy's eyebrows shot up. What was a troubled teenager doing dating a lieutenant?

The phone lit up brighter, with the caller ID displaying "Wilde". It buzzed noisily and Judy glanced over to the snoozing patient. It could be a friend or a family member, worried sick and wondering where he was. She cleared her throat and tapped to answer.

"Hello?"

"Hey, sweetheart. You have my friend's phone. Please return it."

She blinked. The voice came from both the phone's speaker and directly behind her. She turned around tilted her head up – way up to meet striking green eyes. She felt the skin beneath her fur flush.

There was something to him – the manner with which he carried himself that just made him so enigmatic. Her eyes dared to drift slightly lower, to where broad shoulders filled out a pleather jacket. There was a cut on his cheek, the bright crimson of his blood barely visible through his vibrant fur. He looked every bit the 'bad boy' complete with the scuffled look. It was as though he had just come out of a brawl.

In short, he was handsome, that was for sure and she appreciated it. Very much.

He, on the other hand, seemed to be regarding her with a sort of mild amusement. A part of her bristled, feeling ready to defend herself. She braced herself for a "A sweet, pretty bunny in the scary ER? How precious." Only, it never came.

"Uh, doctor?"

"Oh! Right. Sorry. Wait- Your friend as in, the kit on the bed?"

"No."

The answer was flat, the inflexion of the word slightly different. A Liondoner accent. It wasn't the handsome fox talking. Not looking too impressed, a hare emerged from behind him. Judy blinked as the hare regarded her coolly and gave a cursory glance to the young fox on the bed.

In the back of her mind, Judy wondered if hares were getting involved in gang fights these days and then checked herself. The hare appeared to be more well-built than Judy was used to seeing. Besides the barely noticeable scruff marks on his tailored coat, he was seemingly unscathed and looked to be ready for tea with the mayor.

"It's mine. The bugger stole it from me when we let him go. When he ran off, a gang of timber wolves mobbed him. We had to rescue him."

"Really? How do I know that you aren't the ones taking advantage of him?"

Judy's tone held the note of distrust. Why were two mammals, both who appeared to be in the prime of their health, lording over a poor young fox?

"Well, prove it."

The smirk on the red fox grew and the hare only rolled his eyes.

He reached into his shirt and pulled out his military tags – Judy felt herself blanch.

"T-they could be fake."

He sighed and tucked his paws into his pockets.

"You're a doctor here, aren't you? Close to thirty-ish?"

Judy bristled but ignored him. Her gaze rested evenly on the silver tags that hung from his neck – far easier than those penetrating eyes of his.

"So…you went to 's for medical school. Skye Steppefurd. You know her? She can ID me."

Judy's eyes narrowed, but then softened as she slowly came into realization. So, that's why the arctic fox on the phone looked so familiar.

"Yup. She's a buddy of mine from the military academy."

Reception -St Whisker's Private Hospital

9:53PM

Skye impatiently pressed the lift's button. The rational part of her knew that was not going to make the lift move any faster, but to her, it didn't matter. She had made a mad dash from headquarters, running straight out the moment she got the call. She had not even bothered to change to civilian clothing and received a few surprised glances from nurses and patients alike as she sped through the hospital doors.

For weeks on end, she had called him relentlessly. He read her texts, that much he knew. But he never took a call. Her father was nothing short of exasperating in telling her what exactly had happened. All she knew was that Jack didn't want anything to do with her. From one moment, they went from celebrating two years together and now, they were nothing more than a lieutenant and her subordinate.

The last time they had met, he told her he loved her. She had waited for two whole years to hear him say those precious words to her. He meant them, she was sure.

What could have possibly happened?

Finally, after what seemed like an agonizing long time, the elevator doors opened…right to reveal him. The very snout that she longed for weeks on end to see again.

"Jack…"

His name escaped her lips in a breath. She caught the slight softening of his eyes before they hardened again. His chest stiffened and he gave her a crisp salute.

"I got a call. I was so worried…"

"Good evening, Lieutenant."

She wanted to scream.

"Jack, please. Don't do this to me."

She caught him falter for a moment, but curse this hare's ramrod discipline. He was a perfect fit for the military. His arm was still raised in respectful salute, awaiting her acknowledgement - paw straight and his body perfectly still.

"Are you going to talk to me at all? Do you only want me to see you as a subordinate?"

He didn't respond. His eyes stared off into the distance, awaiting orders. Skye felt a tear fall. She brushed it off angrily and glared right at him.

"Why won't you just talk to me? What have I done? What did my dad do to you to make you pull away like this?"

She wanted to pull her fur out. Damn this mammal. She won't let him break her like this.

"Just stay there then you fool. Stay there all night. Don't you dare lose your posture."

"Hey, what's happening here?"

Nick emerged with a very flustered looking Judy lingering behind. She looked curiously from the clearly distressed vixen to the saluting hare.

Nick went over to his buddy side and tugged down his arm.

"That's abuse of power Skye."

"Was it? I wasn't aware."

She stormed off before Nick could retort.

A/N: Well. Do tell me your thoughts!