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Richard slept, but not peacefully. He had held Nick on the rooftop for hours. The sun had set and he had stayed with his friend. Rejection was painful, he knew that better than most. Nick was a cool fox, laid back and funny. However, the tiger knew, that was a façade a way to hide the vulnerable little alone fox cub trembling inside.

While he was still trying to deal with Bogo. In a way he envied Nick. Maybe the answer had been painful, deeply painful, at least he could start healing. Richard still had hope and that was the worst thing. No healing for him, not yet anyway. Just wishing and hoping.

In his dreams, Bogo had come to him a thousand times already. It was always the same; the two of them, naked in the warehouse where they had mated under the influence of the narcotic wild times. A powerful drug based on the night howlers, thrown into their faces by a fleeing perp.

Bogo's arms slipped around him, the buffalo smiling, his eyes clear this time. No drugs, just love. Richard's heart raced and he gazed up into those beautiful eyes and their lips drew near. "Wake up!" Bogo shouted in his face the voice so very wrong.

The tiger frown and pushed free, as Bogo shouted, "wake up! Stupid copper! You're gonna get scragged!" Richard could feel something on his chest, a weight, he opened his eyes and stared up into two eyes. Only they were not the big brown, beautiful eyes of Bogo. They were the black beady eyes of a rodent he didn't know.

Instinct made Richard jump, the little brown mouse being throw across the room. When he landed another brown blur hit him a little mad voice screaming, "got you now ya little scrag!" Scotty yelled as he barrelled into the fight headfirst.

A rat has a lot of weight on a mouse, even in a fair fight, the rat is going to be the victor. For Scotty fighting fair was the last resort option. He fought as dirty as he could; biting, scratching and showing no mercy. The mouse was no stranger to fighting it seemed and he was armed. Richard saw a tiny shimmer of metal and then the unmistakable red of a couple of drops of blood.

"Ya stabbed me! Oh fuck, you're gonna pay for that boyo!" Scotty bellowed, catching the mouse's knife-wielding paw with one paw and then biting down on his arm so hard more drops of rodent blood stained Richard's carpet. Things would have gone ill for the mouse if they had been alone. Richard had finally awoken from his daze and with reflexes only a cat could match he pounced the attacker, clasping him in two paws.

"Oh, finally decided to fucking help I see," scowled Scotty. His tiny face looked furious, a new bleeding scar on his cheek and more on his sides. His clothes were torn and bloody.

"What the fuck is going on? How did you get in? Who is this and why is he here?" Snarled the tiger, nobody likes waking up and waking up to a rodent fight is not the secret cure to early morning grumpiness.

"I just saved your life, copper," spat the rat. "He was here to kill you." As he spoke, Scotty walked across the room and picked up a small object Richard hadn't even spotted. "This ain't vitamins, Officer Parker. He was going to make sure you never woke up."

Richard's eyes focused on the tiny white object. The mouse had been on his chest, inches from his mouth. Just the day before two suspects had been murdered in their cell; by a suspect of mouse-size who had swum in through the sewers and fed them ketamine while they slept. "He... was... on my chest."

"Yeah, you must have been born under a fucking lucky star boy," Scotty said with a shrug and then sat down on the floor. "Rough fucking night."

Blinking, Richard pulled out of his second daze, "you're wounded I'll..."

"Ah'm fine. Just a few cuts and bruises, nothing broke," the rat cut in, dismissing any idea of getting help. "Couple of scruggers tried to take me out earlier. Seems I been asking too many questions. Lucky for you I have though. Got cornered by three of the bastards and they was boasting about being told to send the cops a message. Thought they had me, like a fucking movie villain he was bragging about how they was gonna scrag me and that 'new fucking cop, who thinks he is so smart'."

Looking closer Richard could see more cuts and wounds on the rat. Three-on-one he'd fought back and there was no way they would have sent three mice. At the least, it was rats, possibly not all just rats. Scotty hadn't just escaped, he'd tracked Richard down got to him in time and then fought one more.

Nick had told him the magistrate was tough. Now he knew it, the rat was made of sterner stuff maybe even than the Chief. "You saved my life."

"Ah, don't think anything of it. Just get me a good nights kip and we are even copper," the rat said with a wink and a shrug of his shoulders. "The fuckers is getting bold though, they think they can take out a magistrate and a cop on the same night."

The door suddenly erupted in a huge pounding of desperate fists, making Richard jump, "Stripes!!! Let me in Stripes!!! Wake up!" Nick's voice called out at full volume.

A second later, Richard opened the door. A wide-eyed fox burst into the room. "Richard! Are you ok?" The fox was in just some sweat pants and nothing else. Richard guessed what Nick slept in. A penny dropped in his brain.

"I'm fine. Scotty messaged you for my address," it wasn't a question, the rat had needed to find his address Nick was the obvious person to ask.

Nick was panting, he didn't have a car of his own and he lived a couple of miles away. The fox had run the whole way in nothing but his pyjama bottoms. "Yeah, said people were trying to kill you."

"Yeah, but we caught him..."

"What'd ya mean 'we' ya big pussy?" demanded Scotty. "I was the one who fucking took him out, got a pretty new scar for my troubles, not got a thank you either. You're not hanging with the best of people Nicky boy. Though that ain't exactly new for a rogue like you." This last bit was a joke and Richard knew it.

"Thank you, Scotty. I seriously owe you big," the tiger said with such sincerity that the rat actually smiled.

"Ah, no problem boy. Now, maybe we could ask your suspect a thing or three," the rat said nodding at Richard's paw. The mouse hadn't moved since a few moments after Richard had grabbed him. Very carefully he opened a couple of his fingers to reveal a rodent with his eyes shut.

"Do... do you think he is ok?" The tiger asked, suddenly worried he might have smothered the suspect without meaning to. At the academy, he had received a series of lectures and training in the best ways to restrain rodent suspects. He had broken every rule he had been given.

"He is fine," Nick said with confidence. "Just hoping you loosen your grip more so he can bolt for it."

Richard looked a little doubtful and very lightly touched the rodent's cheek. Killing a suspect on your second week would not be a good start to his policing career. It might be a bad end to it, there would be an inquest.

"Let's see him," Scotty piped up and Richard was all too eager to let the rat take a look. It was much easier for small animals to treat other small animals. The tiger never thought it through. Scotty leant close and then suddenly his head jerked and the mouse squeaked in pain as his ear was torn open. "Wake up ya scag. I got questions!"

"Hey!" Richard called in shock pulling the mouse away from Scotty.

"Didn't you pay attention in the academy Stripes?" Nick asked as he moved to Richard's kitchen. He grabbed a large empty water jug and held the open end. "Makeshift prisoner retention unit."

"Uh huh," the tiger said doubtfully. However, he gently placed the mouse inside. As soon as his paw was clear, Nick slammed a plate down over the jug. With the natural hole for the spout allowing air to flow it would keep the miscreant safe and secure. "I should call this in."

"Yes indeed, a perp trying to murder a cop is definitely the sort of thing you should go call in. " Nick said, his eyes and Scotty's briefly met and Richard saw it.

"Hey, he is in police custody now. We follow the rules," the tiger said very loud and clear.

"Absolutely, you go call this in. I will stay here and read him his rights." The fox said with that smooth honest voice that Richard just knew he was meant to trust. Of course, he knew Nick just a little too well and he said so with a glance a Scotty. The fox shrugged, "I give you my word I will not let Scotty touch him."

"Hey, the bastard tried to scrag ya. I'm the guy who saved yer life." Scotty burst out with his genuine fury still barely contained.

"And he is deeply grateful. However, I and Richard are officers in the ZPD, we have to follow the law, to the letter," Nick cut in quickly and then added, "we had to take an oath. For the first time in my life, I meant it."

"You're going soft," yawned the rat. "Well, in that case, I can say you'll get nowt from that bag of shit. However, I heard they are shipping in supplies to set up a new operation in the city. Getting their stuff from hicks up in some hick town Bunnyburg or some shite."

"Bunnyburrows?" Nick asked; his partner Judy came from there.

"Probably, I ain't-a fucking globe or a GPS system for you twats." The rat replied moving towards the door. "I got places to be, got to get the word out to the rest of the magistrates." He said nothing more just ran for the door.

"That is probably going to come back to bite us in the ass," Nick observed.

"He said that three guys jumped him, it is probably best he warns his friends," the naive tiger muttered.

"They tried to kill a magistrate?!" Nick gasped, jaw-dropping his eyes going wide again. "Oh fuck! We gotta get this guy booked and let the Chief know what we have found out. Shit, this isn't good."

"You think they will try again? We could get some police protection for Scotty maybe." Richard replied.

Nick gave him a look like he just suggested that a baby holding a hand-grenade was good as it would keep the infant busy. "Someone tried to kill a magistrate. Scott isn't going to just "warn his friends.""

Realisation dawned on the tiger. Scotty was a ball of fury, and he was the magistrate Nick thought was the nice one. Hearing that one of their vigilante gang was attacked would drive the others to far more extreme action. "Should we tell the Chief?"

The fox shrugged his shoulders, "yes, but he can't do anything about it. No small cops, no small riot cops. The magistrates... well, they are rough, but they rarely kill. Like Scott said yesterday, "they don't got back up" or anyone to help them. So they take an attack on one of their own seriously and will respond in kind."

Richard felt a chill run down his spine. Nick was always telling jokes and making light of dark things. To hear him say something so serious in a serious tone, it made it so much worse. "I should go call this in." It was all he could do and all he could think to say.

The call was brief, a squad car was dispatched to their location and the mouse was properly arrested. Although, the arresting officers gave the two of them some funny looks. "You... think they think we were doing it?"

"Let's see. It is just gone six am. I am in your one bedroom apartment, in nothing but some sweatpants. Yeap, there is a distinct possibility they think we were doing it." Nick replied with his typical good humour. Richard was grateful that Nick could joke about it.

"You think they will tell everyone?" The tiger was pretty sure on the answer.

"They are diligent public servants, highly trained. They have spent many hours in all manner of sensitivity training, training on dealing with people of various different personal predictions with dignity, respecting their life and the victims right to privacy." Nick said reassuringly. "Plus they are cops and fellow officers. Whatever or whoever you date is none of their business and they are fully aware of this fact."

The tiger listened carefully to the full and long speech, "so they will tell everyone."

"Oh yes, everyone they know," Nick confirmed with a laugh. Nobody gossiped more than cops, it had been a shocking revelation to the former hustler. " I tell you, things are very different on the other side. Nobody tells anyone anything."

"The other side? You mean being a criminal?" Richard asked with a wry smile.

"Such a cruel accusation, from a dear, dear friend no less. You wound me," the fox said with such sincerity anyone who didn't know him might believe it. "Not exactly criminal, I got no record. Consider my former life crime... adjacent."

Richard laughed at that, he couldn't stop laughing. His entire body shook and he felt his paws shaking. Suddenly he wasn't laughing he was struggling to breathe, his breath coming in desperate ragged pants. His apartment had never seemed so small. There was a weight on his chest, the weight of a mouse and yet it felt like it was crushing him. "I almost died... he was... right there."

Nick didn't need to hear more he put his arms around his friend. "But, I am right here now and you are alive." The fox whispered as a trembling tiger squeezed him for support. In the moments after he had been to busy to think. Now all he could see was the mouse on his chest, a deadly pill in his paws. For all his size and strength he had been utterly defenceless. If Scotty had been just a minute later, maybe half a minute. Thirty seconds and he would have been just a crime statistic. Nobody but Nick and his Aunt to actually miss him.

The tears began to flow and Nick was smart enough to say nothing. Richard was grateful for that, taking deep breaths he felt himself calming down. Letting go of Nick he mumbled, "sorry... just the adrenaline wearing off, I think."

Once more Nick was smart enough to hold his tongue. Letting the tiger regain control and his dignity. Richard knew that Nick would say nothing to anyone about it. "Guess it helps put the whole being outted thing into perspective, huh?'

The fox shrugged, "well technically we weren't doing anything today. Someone warned me an officer was in trouble, I responded. This can be explained away," the fox replied. "You're a handsome guy, so am I. People always want to agree with good looking chaps like us. So if we say we ain't they will believe us. They will make lots of jokes, maybe a prank or two then move on and forget all about it."

"What... what if we don't?" The tiger knew the answer and Nick's expression confirmed it. All bets would be off, but the odds of a happy outcome were low. "That's what I thought."

"We probably need to get going soon. Our shift starts in an hour," Nick said and glanced down. "I probably need to get home to pick up my gear."

"True, handsome guy like you walking in with no shirt on, you'll turn so many heads so fast the girls will be suing you for whiplash," the tiger replied forcing a smile onto his face. Nick laughed and the two left after Richard changed into his uniform.

They swung by Nick's and the fox picked up his uniform before they headed to the station. Their paws had barely crossed the threshold when a familiar voice bellowed out "Wild, Parker, my office, now!"

"Oh no, our dear Chief seems to have lost the ability to form full grammatical sentences," Nick mumbled as they turned as one to walk to the chief's office. "That does not bode well."

Nick's sense of foreboding turned out to be spot on. The buffalo wasted no time before bellowing at them both. Though, Richard could see the truth. Bogo was angry, but not at them. His officers had been put in harm's way. That was not sitting right with the buffalo and he was going to take it out on everyone.

The two partners took his bellowing for few minutes and then the storm was over. "Alright, just be more careful in future and we will say no more about it. This Magistrate friend of yours, Wild, do you trust him?"

"I don't trust anyone, Chief. However, if you are asking me if he is lying I would say no. Lying ain't his style, plus he wants this stuff off the streets too." Nick replied, totally unruffled by having been yelled at for the crime of trying to protect his friend and fellow officer.

"Then we need to check out the Bunnyburrows lead," the buffalo said. "Parker, you're from the sticks and I seem to recall Hopps actually hails from Bunnyburrows, you two got this one. I want you out there yesterday, don't come back until you have a lead on where this stuff is going and who is buying."

"I love a road trip," Nick said with a grin.

"Oh you do, do you, Wild?" Bogo said in a tone that let them both know there was only enough room in the car for one tiger and one rabbit. "I want you to track down your rat friend, he knows more than he is telling. I would bet my life on it. I want names, places, anything he knows."

"That's... not going to be easy," the fox said carefully.

"Officer Wild, I did not just give you a suggestion, I gave you an order. Do whatever you have to. Work with him. Figure out a way to stop a gang war and find me those damn drug dealers," his words were spoken in a low growl. There may have not been a threat in the words, but his tone and body language screamed 'defy me and I will make a rug out of your hide!'

"O...kay, I will just go get on that," Nick muttered taking a step towards the door mumbling. "and I suppose that after I do that I will try and solve world hunger." He left before Bogo could reply.

"You are dismissed officer Parker," Bogo said less angrily. "Better catch up to your boyfriend for a goodbye kiss."

Richard's jaw dropped. He had assumed Bogo's anger was just misplaced worry about one of his officers having a close call. It had never occurred to him the bull might be upset over the rumours about him and Nick.

"Officer Wild is a friend, Sir. He isn't exactly straight, but he is not really my type." the tiger replied quietly as his brain worked through the myriad of thoughts that suddenly were flooding him. Emotions too, they were hard to resist. "Even if we were, you don't have a right to be angry. You turned me away because you can't deal with who you are. I said I'd be there if you decided you wanted me. I never put a fucking chastity belt on."

"You said the next steps were mine," the buffalo shot back far faster and angrier than Richard expected. "When you took the next steps into bed with a bloody fox."

"I never, Nick and I did nothing last night," Richard realised the last two words were a mistake, he had been a little too honest and specific. A lifetime on the force let Bogo spot it. They hadn't done something last night, but the had done something sometime.

"When did you do something?" The question was shot like a bullet and under the Chief's icy stare Richard knew that lying wasn't an option.

"Ok, look we maybe fooled around a bit..." a deep accusing grunt escaped Bogo's lips. "However, it was before you and I... did anything. It was also, just a bit of fun between friends. Nick ain't my type and I really ain't his. I like big, he likes small. Nothing wrong with two consenting adults having a bit of fun, no strings attached."

Bogo seemed to take a step back, at least mentally, physically he still towered menacingly over the tiger, "so is that what we had."

"No, I wanted strings. You are the one who cut them. It's not my fault you can't face who you are," Richard knew he was being defensive, maybe too defensive. However, it had been an emotional two days, he wasn't even sure what his own true feelings were. He knew it had hurt when Bogo rejected him, twice. "You don't have to worry about me and Nick..."

Richard had been about to add that Bogo had no right to expect him to be celibate while the buffalo made up his mind. However, Bogo cut in with a comment that derailed all thoughts of being nice, "certainly not for the next few days at least. Unless you like bunny tail."

For what felt like the thousandth time that morning, Richard's jaw hit the floor, "is that why you are sending me to the sticks, so I won't fuck Nick? Are you that fucking petty?"

"No I..." for the first time Bogo looked something other than angry.

"You what? Just want to keep me on the shelf for yourself, but never actually give a damn how lonely that damned shelf is?" Spat the feline as he stalked towards the door.

"No, Parker... Richard... I" stammered the lost buffalo.

"Grow up Chief, you want me you got to be a fucking man and take me. Otherwise, I will find someone else who will," snarled Richard as he slammed the door.

"No I... people are trying to kill you and I just couldn't stand to lose you, not after just finally finding someone," Bogo said quietly to the empty office. For a moment he just stood alone, his shoulders slumped in defeat. Then he took a deep breath and returned to being Chief Bogo, ZPD's unbreakable leader.

Outside Richard found his desk, then he found the present his fellow officers had left him. A condom and a small vulpine-cock shaped dildo. Nobody was looking at him, but he could hear sniggering. Then the lights went out, or the did for Richard as Julia, the elephant towered over him.

"Guys! This is not funny!" She berated the room at large "Richard is a good person, you can't judge him. Nick was there because an informant tipped him off, don't go slandering your fellow officers or labelling them as sexual deviants. He is not gay..."

"But, I am gay," Richard said quietly, however, he might have screamed it from the rooftops. The office fell deadly silent. Police officers love gossip and the tiger had just thrown the biggest, juiciest morsel of chum out into the shark tank. "Nick isn't, he was just there cause he thought my life was in danger, which it was. However, yes to anyone who really wants to know. I am gay, I have had boyfriends and there is nothing deviant about me, or them."

Richard swore blind he could hear actually crickets chirruping the place was so quiet. Julia's mouth hung open, a rather cavernous look for an elephant. Then she took a step back, "oh sorry, I... have to go."

The tiger watched the fleeing pachyderm with feelings of guilt. He knew she had just been trying to help. Grabbing the dildo and condom he muttered, "thanks for the gifts though." Then he chased after Julia.

She wasn't hard to catch, she had run as far as her desk and was staring intently at paperwork. "Hey, Julia. Look, I wanted to say thanks for trying to..."

"Officer Parker," she cut across harshly without looking up from the page. "I will always be there as a fellow police officer if you have police business. I will work with you in any way I am ordered to do so. That is the requirement of my job. I am not required to approve of your chosen lifestyle and I most certainly do not approve. So unless you have an item of police business I suggest you walk away and don't come back."

There was nothing Richard could do or say; he did as she asked, walking away without looking back. The cat was out of the bag, or rather closet, there was no way to get him back in. The worst part was, he hadn't really made a choice. It had just been a spur of the moment thing. He knew it had been driven by a mixture of emotions he was barely containing. Hearing Julia deny who he was... he hadn't been able to keep quiet any longer.

Police stations are full of people, and right then Richard knew they were all looking at him. Mostly, because when he looked around, nobody was looking at him. The odds of not a single officer looking in his direction were astronomical. So he knew they were all deliberately not looking directly at him. Officers were adepts at staring from the corner of their eyes.

With nothing more he could do he wandered to where Judy Hopps desk was located. The station didn't have size appropriate desks so she had been given a full desk. Then she had placed her own smaller rabbit sized desk and chair on top. It was a practical solution. Something Judy was known for.

Richard hadn't had much interaction with Nick's real partner. She had given a few training sessions at the academy, as a guest trainer. Judy was looking at him, she smiled and gave a wave as he approached. "Hello Richard, it is ok if I call you Richard right? Hope so, more than a day of Officer Parker and Officer Hopps will drive me mental. You can call me Judy. Nick has had so many nice things to say about you. I was going to say hello sooner, but there is always so much to do. I just kept putting it off and then bam, we are off on an assignment together and I'm like 'well Judy you should have said hello earlier, but there is no time like the present.' So hello."

The words rattled out of her so fast Richard was half expecting her to pass out from oxygen deprivation because she hadn't paused for a single breath. "Hello, Judy, nice to officially meet you. You may call me Richard yes. Did the Chief..."

"Oh yes, he emailed me. I think he thinks this is a good trip for me to take. Sort of a break while my leg heals I keep telling him, I can be a good officer with just a bit of limping for a while. However, he is all 'no, Officer Hopps, I want you either at home or at your desk until your stitches are out.'"

"How is your leg?" Richard asked, trying not to laugh as the rabbit did a pretty spot-on imitation of the buffalo.

"Seventeen stitches and they gave me some pain medication which means you get to do all the driving." The rabbit winked at him and laughed. "Apparently they might make me all drowsy." Richard gave a chuckle as the animated rabbit pretended to fall asleep.

"Well, I better go grab my spare uniforms from my locker, if we might end up staying a few days. You mind if we swing by my place to grab some clean casual clothes?" The tiger asked. He liked Judy, she had energy and passion, plus she hadn't said a thing about his coming out. Or even looked uncomfortable at the prospect of being alone with a gay predator for days.

"No problems, partner. So long as we can swing by my place too. I took the liberty of booking you a room for a couple of nights. There ain't much in Bunnyburrows for guys your size. So I found a bed and breakfast in town. I will be staying with my parents. They said you are welcome to join the family for dinner when we get there." The rabbit said as she jumped down from the large desk her actual desk sat atop.

Richard thought for a moment about how to phrase his response. In the last few hours, he'd been attacked, had a blazing row with the guy he was sweet on and publicly outed himself for no real reason. The last thing he wanted to do in his free time was have dinner with a family of rabbits. Deciding that honesty was probably the best policy, "I really think when we get there I'll just want to hole up in my room with a book or something. It's been a long day and it's not even ten in the morning yet."

"Of course," Judy replied with an understanding nod. "Though, if you want to talk, or just want some company, let me know."

"I'm sure we'll have plenty of time to talk in the car. Though right now I'd rather focus on the case and not on all the... rest of things." He said as he glanced around the office and found zero eyes looking his way.

"That, I can do. Just get anything off the new arrest?" Richard noted that the rabbit only referred to the mouse as a new arrest, not the guy who attacked him or anything that might push strongly on what the guy was arrested for.

"Not a single word, beyond he wanted his lawyer," the tiger replied with a shrug. "The good thing is, he's a mouse, so they have put him in a size appropriate cell. Which means that nobody is swimming up his toilet to silence him."

"Not unless they have trained flea assassins," observed Judy with a smile.

"Well, in that case, they had better jump to it," Richard replied drily and they both chuckled. It wasn't a great joke by either of them, however, somehow it cut through any tension and broke the ice even more. He could see why Nick was so very into the rabbit. "Ok, I'll just go grab my spare uniform and meet you in the parking lot."

Judy left and Richard was alone for the first time that morning. He tried not to think about anything but getting his uniforms. The locker room was empty and he rushed to his locker, eager to avoid any locker room interactions. In his experience, straight guys didn't like gays sharing their locker room and he wanted to avoid any encounters while he let the news settle in people's minds.

However, the sound of the door closing a second time let him know that this morning was still not his morning. A glance at the door saw a polar bear officer enter. Sergeant Brutus. Richard knew him by name and reputation. The polar bear was something of a legend to the force. The most common story told of him was when he broke up a fight between a rhino and elephant by laying them both out with one punch each. He was a hard ass beat cop who had earned his promotion to sergeant by kicking ass and taking names.

Richard started to grab his stuff out of his locker, just hoping the bear would stay away. His locker was on another row and there should be no reason for the polar bear to get anywhere near him. Which did not explain why he could hear pawsteps growing louder. Another glance let him know the bear was walking towards him, with his usual determined and confident look on his face. It wasn't particularly friendly. The tiger could think of only one thing the bear would want to talk about.

Trying to focus on his locker Richard felt his entire body tense. Someone with a reputation like Brutus might just attack him, right there in the locker room? No cameras, no witnesses. The word of a gay cop against the word of a decorated legendary hero cop. The sound of footsteps stopped right behind him, the shadow of the bear seemed to fill up the tiger's world. Richard flexed his paws, his claws sliding out. Maybe he was no legend, but he'd be damned if he wouldn't fight back.

The behind him Brutus spoke, his deep baritone voice making Richard almost jump out of his fur, "Officer Parker, I have to admire your balls." Richard's entire body froze... of all the things he had thought might have happened, a compliment to his genitalia was not even on the list. It was followed by a slightly embarrassed, "though that was not a request for a glance. I'm not coming on to you. I just wanted to say, it took the guts of a concrete elephant to do what you did."

Exhaling slowly so as not to spook the bear, Richard turned around. His entire body tingled with relief as he realised an attack was not coming. He had no idea what was actually coming, but it seemed far nicer than an assault. "Th.. thanks, Sarge."

The polar bear nodded a little and then his huge paw dipped into his pocket and he pulled out a thick wallet. Flipping it open Richard saw an aged and worn badge, one that had seen many years of duty. However, it wasn't the badge the polar bear was trying to show him. There was a picture of a young male polar bear, who looked a little bit like Brutus, however, he had a small rainbow pin in the lapel of a smart black suit. "My son, he came out to us last year."

"He looks just like you Sarge," Richard observed a little too nonplussed to know what to say.

"He does. Luckily, he got his mother's brains. He's studying hard in college to be a lawyer. Says he is going to become the first openly gay judge in Zootopia City." There was a definite, very strong note of paternal pride in the bear's voice. Richard thought back to his own father, of telling the people who supposedly loved him without condition who he was. There had been no pride in his father that day, only pain as he was expelled from their family home forever. A lump was stuck in his throat and he could feel tears start to build.

"I hope he makes it," the tiger observed.

The wallet closed with a snap and was shoved back into the polar bear's pocket. "He will, and so will you. Anyone gives you a hard time, and I mean anyone, from the janitor to the Chief himself, you send them my way and I will educate them." Richard didn't trust his voice not to tremble and he just nodded. "Right, well, I got my beat to go and pound. You watch out for yourself, Parker."

The bear had taken a step or two away when Richard finally got enough control of himself to say, "Your son is very lucky."

Brutus stopped and turned, "I consider myself to be the lucky one." the bear turned to go and then suddenly turned back, "Mark is single by the way."

The tiger's mind felt like a punching bag after a ten-hour training session with a champion boxer. It couldn't cope with any new jabs out of nowhere. The bear could clearly see that on his face and he gave a kindly smile, "no pressure, but if you ever want his contact details let me know." He said with an understanding nod. "Good luck in Bunnyburrows, watch your tail."

As the bear left Richard found his legs failing him and he sat down on the bench. Of all the things that could have brought him to tears, Bogo's accusations and their fight, the prank by his fellow officers, or Julia's just absolute rejection of him as a person. It was the unconditional acceptance of a father for his son that tore his heart asunder. The tears flowed and he didn't fight them, just caught them in a hanky, to prevent ruining his shirt.

Sadly he did not have the privacy or time to cry himself to catharsis in the station. The sound of the door put an end to his tears. As another officer entered, he wiped his face quickly and took several deep breaths. Then he slammed his locker shut grabbed his bag and made a direct line for the parking lot.

Judy was waiting for him by a car. It wasn't her normal one. She had a specially modified car big enough to carry most perps, but also with a special driving seat set to her size. The rabbit had booked out an alternative since it would be the tiger who drove. They stowed their gear in the back. Richard tried not to smile as he watched the rabbit pulling a seatbelt meant for anything up to a full-sized polar bear, across her and fasten it. The belt covered most of her chest and stomach.

"All set?" Richard asked, politely.

"Let's go," with that, their squad car pulled out and their long journey to the countryside was on.

<>

"So just track down a single rat in the largest city on the planet and get me to tell him everything he knows. Why didn't the Chief add learn to fly and walk through walls on his list of impossible orders?" Grumbled Nick as he wandered through the streets and back alleys. He knew them all like he knew the back of his paw. However, there was something different about them. It had nothing to do with the current case or anything in the streets. It was to do with Nick, or more accurately what he was wearing.

It separated him from the rest of the city, in a way he hadn't expected. Nick had assumed things would change, but not this much. Conversations, he would have normally been welcomed into, dried up the moment he showed his face. It brought back painful memories of school, of being alone and unwanted. Nobody wants to speak to a police offer, sometimes they want a police officer to do something for them. However, he was something different now and for the fox, who had always been gregarious and outgoing, to find his jokes falling on deaf ears and stony faces it was hard to take.

Working with Judy he'd hardly noticed it. The rabbit had filled up the silences, Richard hadn't talked as much. Although he had never felt alone around the tiger. Now he was surrounded by hundreds of citizens, but he was alone. It was a deeply unpleasant feeling and all he wanted to do was find Scotty and then get back to the station.

Finding Scotty was no easy task. In fact, for any other officer, it would be an impossible task. However, Nick had a dozen or so places he knew he might find the rat. Though, they all turned out to be empty. He was a fox and he was stealthy, by certain mammals standards. However, he knew the rodents in the city were much harder to catch than anyone ever realised. Almost certainly they would have eyes on a cop walking through the back alleys, where they rarely went without someone calling them.

The few rats he did see all claimed to have no idea who Scotty was. A blatant lie, that Nick didn't call them on. There was no point, at least a lie was better than, "piss off, cop". The last place he thought he might find the rat was an old abandoned shop. A little knick-knack shop on a street corner on the border of the Little Rodentia. It had been set up in more hopeful times when the streets were new. The sign was faded now outside, but it promised excellent service to customers of all sizes or dietary habits. One price fits all.

One price fits all, Nick had to laugh. The shop had been closed probably as long as he had been alive. The equality of goods act had put pay to any 'one price fits' all promises. It had, however, allowed Nick to make a dishonest living right up until the day he met Judy. It ensured the price of food was set by the size of the customer. Otherwise, a mouse would be able to eat for a year on twenty bucks, while an elephant would starve on twenty thousand.

Nick had seen the opportunity it presented. Buy a lolly elephant-sized, for elephant price, melt it down and then refreeze into a hundred rodent sized lollies and sell each one for the same price as the original lolly. All totally illegal, but there were loopholes aplenty, for a guy willing to look for them.

The front was all boarded up, but the back had a loose board on one of the windows. He slipped inside and the place was empty, as he expected. However, he knew the magistrates used this place. There was a few tiny cigarette ends laying around the floor. A quick feel told him all he needed, they were warm at one end moist on the other. The smell of smoke was still in the air.

Clearly, Scotty didn't want to talk to him. The rat would know he was being looked for, Nick had made sure to ask everyone about it. A cop asking questions about you always got to the ears of a person like Scotty. They used to get to his ears the same way, a little word from a friend. In turn, you repaid the favour should a cop come looking for them. However, a really smart and stealthy criminal they would keep their eyes on that cop too from the shadows.

"Alright, well. No Scotty here either." Nick didn't like himself for what he said afterwards. It was a low road to take, but the rat had removed all other paths. "Guess I'll go see if his old Ma knows where he is." In his mind, the fox started counting.

He hadn't gotten to three before he heard behind him, "what'd ya want, Nicky boy?"

Turning around he found the rat behind him. Though Nick knew there was no way he was the only rat there, "just to talk."

"Don't got much to say to the ZPD, I told ya what I could," the rat replied carefully moving forward. Nick could see the cut on his face had been treated.

"Look, you don't trust cops. I get that, believe me, I get it more than most. However, you can trust me," the fox said, holding his empty paws up and then taking off his badge. "Wild times is fucking bad for everyone. Of course, what's worse is a new gang, whoever is pedalling this junk is gaining power and it's only going to be so long before the established guys push back."

A snigger escaped the rat's lips, "did they extract your brain in the academy, Nicky boy? Think about it, really think. A new gang moving in, but no bodies piling up. A new gang who also has the rat and mouse power, connections inside the city and out."

Nick frowned as he thought, "You're right. Even if there weren't bodies there'd be something." New crime gangs don't come into the city easily. Whoever was dealing wild times would be taking over custom from an established gang. Turf wars don't go unnoticed, even rodent ones. That meant it wasn't a new organisation they were looking for. It was just a new revenue stream for someone.

"Come on Nicky boy, that uniform ain't made you that dumb has it," the rat asked. He was smiling and it was clear he knew exactly who was behind it all.

It had to be a gang with a good number of small guys. Anyone could hire a mouse hitman, however, the warehouse... that had been a serious gang of organised rodents. That meant either someone hiring a load of new guys. Only he'd have heard of that, his paw may no longer be right on the pulse, but it is close enough. This junk came out of nowhere.

"Oh... oh damn!" The penny dropped and Nick felt like kicking himself. He'd been so busy chasing criminals he'd forgotten to actually sit down and think like one. A crime boss, who didn't mind icing anyone who got in his way, and not in the bakery kind of way. One who had hundreds or thousands of rodents in his employ, as well as a good few guys for muscle. "I thought he didn't deal drugs."

"That's why I like you so much Nicky, you're so fucking naive," the rat laughed at him. "Mr Big is always willing to expand his business opportunities. His dad made a deal with the guys down in Savannah Central and the Rainforest District. They got the drug dealing he took the prostitution and gambling. It was a good deal back then. Only now drugs are a much bigger slice of the pie."

"However, a new drug, like wild times, that wouldn't be covered by any agreements and Mr Big is back in the drug game," the fox shook his head. "I can't believe I never knew that was why he didn't deal drugs. Surely those other guys can't be happy he found a loophole."

Scotty shrugged, "not thrilled. However, I hear he supplies to them and they gets a cut of the take from their own turf. It's enough to stop the bodies piling up, or the mob bodies anyway."

"We need to catch him," Nick muttered.

"Ha! Good luck there Nicky boy. You know he don't ever get his own paws dirty. He has half the lawyers in the city on his payroll. Half the politicians and more than a couple of you cops too." Snorted the rat and then he shook his head. "Naw, you guys can't touch him. Maybe you can hit his supply lines a few times. However, he has deep pockets and he will just start again." The rat took a few steps closer and said in a low voice. "Just walk away Nicky boy, the magistrates will get that shit off the street, get the drugs off the street at the same time."

"That won't do anything, they attack you, you attack them. All that happens is a bunch of people get killed, good guys and bad guys." Nick muttered as he stroked his chin.

"So, if you cops can't get him and we can't get him. What do you got in mind, Nick boy?" The rat asked.

A smile slowly spread across the fox's face. "It's called a hustle, sweetheart."

<>

"So when we hit town I can report to the sheriff's office, to be polite, while you book into your room," Judy announced. They'd only been driving for about half an hour, however, the rabbit had done nothing but talk about the case. Richard wasn't surprised she had thought Nick was joking. Judy's mind was clearly always on the job.

"Sounds good," then he groaned as the lights turned red ahead of him. "Assuming we ever actually get out of the city. Damn it, how many sets of lights can there possibly be between the station and edge of the city."

"Forty-seven," Judy replied without a moment's hesitation. She gave a chuckle at the tiger's expression. "One time I was in a real hurry driving back from Bunnyburrows and I counted them all. Forty-seven lights and forty-six of them turned red when I got there. I swear the city knows when you are in a hurry and it tries to force you to slow down. Even if you have a good reason for hurrying."

Richard smiled a little, "you talk like the city is alive. I notice the Chief does that from time to time. Nick too for that matter."

"Oh, she is alive. She's a wonderful place to live. That doesn't mean she can't be a miserable bitch some days," laughed the rabbit with a wink. "You'll have to get used to that... if you stay."

"If I stay?" Richard shot back quickly.

"Yeah, a lot of rookies do their training with the ZPD and after a year or two on the streets they up sticks back to the sticks," Judy observed.

"So do you think you will stay?" The tiger shot out quickly. Judy had been on the force less than a year. The old grizzled veteran talk sounded suspiciously similar to something Bogo had said.

"Oh yes. All my life I wanted to be a ZPD officer. I have no intention of going home, except to visit..."

"Or to investigate the supply chain of major drug dealers," cut in the tiger. Which got a mild chuckle from the rabbit.

"I had to fight to be respected. They said I was too small to be a cop. Well too bad for them. I'm a cop and I am not going back until I am too old to work and I retire back to my family's farm," there was some fire in those words. Richard knew the feeling, but it was the first time he'd seen the steely determination needed to make it through the academy with everyone rooting against you.

"Is that why you wanted to be a cop? Because they told you you couldn't be," the tiger asked as he pulled up at the next set of lights. Judy had been right about the city sometimes it seemed like it was doing it deliberately.

"No, I always wanted to be a cop. Long before anyone told me I couldn't be." The rabbit replied and leant back in her seat, her eyes half closed as she remembered. "When I was a little kit I used to watch the Bunny Team. You ever hear of it?"

"No, I didn't watch much T.V. when I was a cub. My dad used to get annoyed if I was indoors too much. Kept telling me to get out of the house to play," sighed the tiger.

"That's nice," Judy observed and Richard said nothing. It had been a nice upbringing. Right up until it wasn't. "Anyway it's a kids show, kinda low budget but I loved it. They had a character on it called Judy and she... she was a hero. I remember one episode she helped her local sheriff foil a crime and she was deputised and stuff. That was when I decided I wanted to be a cop. Then... everyone kept saying I couldn't. What about you, when did you decide to be a cop?"

"High school," the tiger replied softly. "There were almost no other predators in school and I was always the guy who didn't fit in. Some of the other kids didn't like that, and well... honestly, I wanted a way out of town. ZPD is always looking for fit predators, they did a recruitment event at my school and I thought it might be worth a try." The tiger took a deep breath as he pulled away from the next lights. "Then I came out to my parents and they kicked me onto the street. So I finished my last couple of months, got myself a police scholarship to college and never looked back."

"I... I'm sorry," Judy almost whispered the words, they came out so slow Richard knew she was struggling to think of something to say to make it right. The truth of the situation is that there are some things so wrong that all the words in the world are not enough to make them right.

"Ain't your fault," observed the tiger. "Though I appreciate the sentiments. I'm ok. At least the ZPD don't fire people just for being gay. I got a good job, an ok apartment and I'm starting to make some friends."

"And, of course, a new boyfriend," observed the rabbit and Richard almost swerved the car off the road into a lamppost.

"Wha.... ?" The tiger couldn't form full words.

"Oh come on, the whole station is talking about it. You and Nick!" If Richard had not been so shocked he might have noticed the slight strain in Judy's voice as she said, Nick.

"Nick's not my boyfriend. He's my friend, turning out to be my best friend. However, he's not interested in me and I'm not interested in him, that way," he said as calmly and sincerely as he could.

"Not your type? What's wrong with him, he's cute, funny, so annoyingly smart and he does that..." Judy paused mid-sentence and out of the corner of his eye Richard saw her taking a slow breath.

"Well, all of that is very true. I like my guys bigger and, while Nick is a damn good catch for any girl, or guy, he isn't what I'm looking for and I'm not what he's looking for," licking his lips Richard took a shot in the dark. "He is looking for someone smaller." Judy's ears twitched and he knew that she was thinking it over. One last shot in the dark and he knew she'd have it, "apparently he asked someone out recently, got turned down though, poor guy."

Judy said nothing, but Richard knew if she was one ten-thousandth the police officer people thought she was, she would be able to pick up those clues and come to a conclusion. He'd just opened a door that Nick thought Judy had slammed in his face when she thought Nick asking for a date was a joke.

For a good twenty minutes, they drove on in silence. It wasn't until they finally passed the city limits that Judy seemed to wake up from her thoughts. "So, I did some checking there are about eight different major suppliers of farm equipment that either work out of or have some connection to Bunnburrows."

"Eight? Wow, I thought it was just a small town," observed the tiger.

"Farming town, farming supplies they kind of go paw in paw," replied the rabbit with a shrug. "We don't have enough to get a warrant for any of them, and even if we did we are outside our jurisdiction. So we will have to get as much information as we can by asking and charming."

"Ah, pity the Chief didn't let us bring Nick," Richard said, smiling at the slight squirm Judy gave to the fox's name. "He could charm information out of anyone. Get them to think up is down and the weekend is the week. Then give a look like butter wouldn't melt in his mouth..."

"And claim anyone saying he was a devious fox was impeaching his good character!" Laughed Judy.

"Peached, his character hasn't even been appricotted. It is totally unrelated to any member of the Prunus family!" Snorted the tiger. Judy burst out into fits of laughter and the tiger smiled. He knew a farmer would get that joke. City folk don't know good humour.

"Appricotted! I am so going to use that next time he says his character is unimpeachable," snorted the rabbit.

"Don't, he won't get it," advised Richard as they sped through the country. "He's cute, but he's a city boy."

"Yeah, he is," the rabbit replied and Richard smiled a little wider. He was sure she wasn't just agreeing the fox was a city boy. However, he decided that he'd pushed his friend enough for now. Hopefully, Judy would take matters into her own paws. If not, well, poor Nick would move on eventually.

Their squad car sped on through the rolling countryside. The two talked more and shared a few jokes. They turned on the radio and sang along to a few classics. All in all, it turned out to be a rather good day considering it started out with someone trying to kill him. It was just getting late in the afternoon when they finally pulled into Bunnyburrows. Richard pulled up to the small bed and breakfast place Judy had booked for him.

Judy went off to report to the sheriff. Their small station being on the main street, a short walk down the road from the bed and breakfast. Richard took a moment to stretch out after such a long car drive every muscle and joint felt stiff. A tingle in the back of his neck made him look around, he was being watched.

Across the road, he saw a small bakery. Gideon Grey's, according to the sign, and through the window, he could see a slightly portly fox watching him stretch. The vulpine flinched a little as he realised he had been caught staring. Richard gave him a smile and a wave. A second or two later the fox waved back. However, their little moment was broken by the sound of someone walking down the street. It was a bunny family and they were making a direct line for the bakery.

Richard wandered into the bed and breakfast. A female beaver was there waiting for him as he knocked on the door, " welcome, Officer Parker, isn't it! She said with a cheery warmth that was scarily family.

"Yes, ma'am," the tiger replied giving a slight bow.

" I'm Cheryl Boscow, I run this place."We have your room all ready for you, it's right on the top floor I'm afraid. Though I assume a policeman is able to handle a few flights of stairs. It has the best views as it looks out on the fields and hills," she said walking further in and beckoning him to follow. "Breakfast is between five-thirty and ten. We only have four rooms, you got the last one. I assume you are here for business, however, if you want we can provide a list of activities in the local area in case you get some time."

As they climbed the stairs Richard's stomach decided to remind him that he'd skipped breakfast and drove all day. It gurgled loud enough for the beaver to hear and she glanced back, "hungry?"

The tiger flushed a little and nodded, "it was a long drive and we didn't bring any supplies. Or stop for lunch."

"Oh good lord. An all-day drive on nothing but breakfast? You need to get something to eat before you waste away. I meant there isn't a spare scrap of meat on you to start with!" Cheryl replied and then frowned. "Afraid, the best I can do is a salad sandwich this late in the day. However, Gideon's just over the road is open for another hour or two and he does just some amazing pies. He's the best baker in the Tri-Burrows area, he's won awards for his pies. Although if you ask me, his cupcakes are by far the best too. He only won third place. That's just cause he's a fox and the judges wouldn't let a carnivore win a desserts award. It's all political!" The beaver whispered the last part with such conviction Richard believed her. He certainly wasn't going to call her a liar or raise any doubts about the politics of cupcakes.

"I must admit, I did have a peek in the window when I got out of the car," of course it wasn't the sweet baked treats that he had been looking at. "I think I will take your advice and pop in for something tasty. Though I need to speak to my partner..."

"Young Judy Hopps? She used to go to school with my daughter. You know everyone laughed when she said she'd be a police officer." The beaver's eyes twinkled with mischief. "They ain't laughing at her no more. Good for her. She showed them!"

It was hard to disagree with the rabbit, so he didn't. "Yes, she did. This is my first assignment with Judy. I only just started in the ZPD a month ago."

"Well, I'm sure you'll do fine," replied the beaver reassuringly. It was nice to hear, the last person who had actually said that had been his aunt. The beaver showed him his room, which was really quite nice. Clean and tidy, with a certain homey touch. The place mostly catered to married couples who were looking for a quiet break in the country.

Richard thanked Cheryl and then took his room key. His bag was dropped onto the bed and he sat down in the room for a moment with a soft sigh. He closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths, however, he found it difficult to settle. He took a quick look around the room. Double bed, nice paintings on the wall, the view was of pleasant fields, trees and hedgerows. The bathroom had a large bathtub in it, easily big enough for two Richard noted.

However, the toilet had the seat down and lid up. It was clean, and yet Richard felt compelled to close the lid. He'd never cared a tiny bit about the lid before. Now it seemed all important. He took a vase of flowers off the window and placed it down on the lid. The tiger told himself that he was just being paranoid. In his head, he heard Nick reply "paranoia is for people who only think someone is coming after them. When someone has just tried to kill you and the person who sent them is still at large, it's not paranoia it's intelligence." He agreed with the imaginary version of Nick, although he also knew he wasn't going to tell a living soul what he had done.

Feeling uncomfortable he headed out into the street. Once more he looked through the window of the bakery. It looked like they had some tables and chairs inside, for customers to order food in. The rabbit family seemed to be occupying half of them and the attention of the cute fox baker, Gideon or so Richard assumed.

A voice caught his ear, it was Judy calling his name and waving. The tiger walked to meet her halfway, "How'd it go with the Sheriff?"

"He's fine with us asking a few questions. Says he hasn't heard anything about wild times but will ask about as well. I'm afraid the places will have all shut up for the day though. So we'll have to go asking tomorrow," The rabbit explained and then her eyes spied something. "Oh, there's my Mom and Dad, plus.... "The rabbit's eyes flashed across the small bunny horde. "Sandy, Sissy, Carol, Charlie, Barbara, Dave, Dee, Dozy, Becky, Mike and Titch."

The tiger frown, "Some of those names can't be real."

"Well dozy, is really Ozy but he is so Dozy the nickname stuck. Titch is actually Tina, but she's the smallest of my siblings." Explained Judy before she dashed across the road. Richard heard the bunny squeals from across the road as she opened the door.

He took a slow walk across as there were many hugs and much chatter from the family. It definitely seemed like a family moment. Richard slipped inside as quietly as he could and up to the counter. There was an impressive array of pies, both savoury and sweet. He noticed an array of cakes, included cupcakes, their rainbow frosting caught his eye. A nice little subtle hint at something maybe, you have to be careful in small towns. Richard knew that better than most people. The savoury stuff was all clearly split between the carnivore pies, fish and poultry, and the herbivores, a range of vegetables.

"Anything takes your fancy?" A friendly voice asked and Richard found himself looking the fox in the eye. There was a little something there, a definite mutual attraction was felt.

"It all looks so good. You let people eat in?" the tiger asked glancing back at the tables.

"Yes, indeed, Officer. I like to chat and I figure plenty of people want a place to sit and have some tea, coffee and a slice o one of my pies." The fox replied with a smile. "If you want to order something I would be happy to bring it over to a table."

"That's very kind of you, what would you recommend?" The tiger asked glancing down at the various pies.

"Well, for a big city policeman I reckon you'll have a big appetite," the fox said with a sly smile. "How about an individual trout Wellington, the fish comes from a local lake and are all fresh. I don't take any second class ingredients, no sir. Just the best, with some cream and pepper in the sauce. Maybe with a glass of cider. The best part about living in a farming town, you get all the best food and drink. Stands to reason we keep the best stuff in town and sell the rest to city folk."

"Who don't know any better," smiled the big cat. "I may work in the city, but I was born and raised in Berkshire."

"Oh, a country boy. Then I can stop giving you the city spiel and just talk plain. The Trout Wellington is the best in the Tri-burrows area, it's won me some awards. However, if you's not a fish man, then why not try my chunky chicken in cider cream sauce." the fox waved at a plate of small pies. "Or, maybe if you's looking to sample the delights, "as he said delights the fox winked," of our humble town, I could get you a little selection plate; a selection of small slices o various pies. With a selection plate o desserts. If you are hungry for something afterwards."

Richard gulped softly, "I think that sounds good." He took a breath and added with a smile. "I'm pretty sure I will want something afterwards."

Gideon gave a broad smile, "well, ain't that something for a fellow to look forward to." Richard flushed a little, he felt a little guilty. However, Bogo had made it clear he already thought he was sleeping with a fox. There was no harm in a little flirting either. Bogo hadn't exactly stepped up if anything he had stepped back.

His thoughts of guilt and explanations slipped from his mind as Judy's voice suddenly piped up, "Richard, I would like to introduce you to my parents Stu and Bonnie Hopps. As well as my sisters and brothers, Sandy, Sissy, Carol, Charlie, Barbara, Dave, Dee, Dozy, Becky, Mike and Titch." Judy's grey paw flashed around as she pointed to each of her siblings in turn. The tiger knew bunnies tended to have big families, no doubt they got good at remembering names and faces. Not a bad skill for a cop to have, but he had zero chance to memorise any of them.

Instead, he focussed on her parents, giving them a nod of hello, "nice to meet you, Sir, Ma'am."

"Nice to meet you officer, glad to see my daughter finally has someone of your stature to back her up," Stu said as he held out a paw.

Shaking it Richard realised the rabbit was referring to his size and nothing else. He wanted someone big and strong looking after his daughter, "thank you, Sir. Although, I might say I am glad to have someone of Officer Hopps intelligence and skill to back me up; as are any of the officers lucky enough to work with your daughter."

"Oh, Stu!" Bonnie admonished. "You can't blame a parent from worrying about his daughter with a dangerous job. I'm sure your parents worry about you." As she spoke she offered a paw. "Judy says you are from Berkshire, are you going to visit your parents before you head back?" A reasonable question to most, Berkshire wasn't a long drive from Bunnburrows. Judy leant and whispered something into her mother's ear and Bonnie's jaw dropped open.

The tiger shook her trembling proffered paw and held his tongue about what his parents worry about or more likely who they don't worry for. He certainly said nothing about the prospect of going to see them.

"Well, every country boy should have a proper home cooked meal when he comes back! You're coming to dinner!" Bonnie suddenly announced to the clear consternation of her husband.

"Bonnie, ah'm sure this young predator don't want..."

"Stu, I sure as heck am not taking a no for an answer, from you or him!" the matronly rabbit cut in sharply.

"I'm very grateful, but I just placed an order and I can see Mr Grey has cut into several pies on my account, Ma'am. Maybe I could come by tomorrow night instead?" Richard replied a little worried by the sudden outpouring of clear maternal feelings from a female he had hardly met. Though it wasn't too unusual, after raising so many kits mothering was a strong instinct in many female rabbits.

"Tomorrow it is!" Bonnie said, giving her husband a triumphant look. Then she hugged Richard, which was deeply awkward for the feline not just because she had only just met him. Given their size difference she was only just able to get her arms around his waist and her chin was at crotch height. Standing right in front of her husband, and her daughter, the woman was practically rubbing her face in his groin.

"Thank you kindly, Ma'am," he mumbled softly as the older male rabbit rolled his eyes and Judy mouthed an apology for her parents. The awkward hug ended and Bonnie wiped a tear away from her eye.

"You're welcome, and you are always welcome to visit," Bonnie replied, before Stu and her kits managed to pull her away.

"Sorry, about my mother," Judy muttered giving the same look that is shared by millions of children when apologising for whatever their parents did that they find embarrassing. "Hope you don't mind me telling my mother...she'd have never let it go if I hadn't explained why you couldn't go home."

Richard gave a smile and a shrug, "your parents are nice and don't worry about it. Apparently, today is the day I stop hiding that stuff about myself." The tiger spotted the rabbit family standing outside. "You should go, your family are waiting. I will see you tomorrow."

The rabbit nodded and left saying, "see you tomorrow. Enjoy your pie, and the peace and quiet."

Waving through the window, Richard watched the rabbits leaving as he took his seat. A few seconds later and Gideon was over with a selection of pie slices for him to try. "Here you go, Officer..."

"Please, call me Richard," the tiger said quickly with a warm smile as he picked up a fork. He tried a chicken pie first and the moment he bit down he was unable to stop himself from making a pleasured moan. "Damn, that is good!"

Gideon gave him a smile and a nod, "I know my business, Offi... Richard." The fox stood there for a moment or two while the tiger tucked in and then turned slightly awkwardly.

Spotting the slightly disappointed look on Gideon's face Richard realised they were alone and the fox had been hoping for an invite. "Gideon... would you like to join me? I mean if you don't mind talking to a guy who is stuffing his face, I'd appreciate some company."

With a broad smile, Gideon slid into the seat opposite him, "If'n I objected to talking to folks with their mouths full I'd hardly speak to anyone all day." Laughed the fox as he watched the tiger devour the last of the chicken pie. "Ah did tell you mah chunky chicken pie is good."

"Good? Good!" Richard exclaimed as if the person had said the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel was a bit picturesque, "That was paws down the best pie I have ever eaten!"

"That's right nice of you to say," the fox replied with a little flush to his cheeks. "I spent a lot of time learning how to bake and how to mix flavours."

"Time well spent!" Richard replied as he tried the next pie, it wasn't as nice as the chicken, but it was still tasty. A day with no food and suddenly he could barely stop his paws from shovelling it into his mouth. Slice after slice was devoured, all of them were thoroughly enjoyed, though no match for the chicken. In just a few minutes he had polished off the entire plate. He pushed the plate away from himself with a satisfied moan. "Now that was worth missing both breakfast and lunch for."

There was a look of shock and admiration on the fox's face, "it's nice to see people enjoying ma food."

Richard flushed a little himself, "well, you can be sure I enjoyed it. There's not a crumb left on my plate."

"You want something for dessert?" Gideon asked and Richard saw the look in the fox's eye and knew he wasn't being offered just pie and cream.

"I... maybe soon. I'm actually quite full from all that, want to let it settle first," it was an honest answer and it gave him some time to think without a direct rejection. If the fox was coming on to him he definitely needed some time after eating a huge plateful before he tried anything fun. Same went for if he wanted actual dessert.

"Fair enough, how about a cup of coffee, or a glass of cider maybe? It's good, there's a small brewery an orchard just outside of town." The fox offered with a smile.

"That sounds good, the cider I mean. It's been a long day and I could use a nice drink to help me relax," the tiger replied.

Gideon got to his feet and wandered behind the counter. He returned with two full pint glasses of cider, "ah think I'll join you if you don't mind."

"No, please. I imagine standing baking all day can be quite... exhausting," Richard said waving at the seat opposite him. Suddenly he realised he hadn't paid and Gideon hadn't asked him for any money. In his mind he tried to decide if he should offer to pay now, or if maybe the fox would ask him when he left, the third option was Gideon was buying him a meal and a drink. The latter option would make it a sort of date.

In his mind, he fought back any feelings of guilt. This was just some food, drink and good company. Plus Bogo wasn't his boyfriend, he might want it, but until the buffalo stood up and said he wanted him too, what was he supposed to do wait forever? Although, just over twenty-four hours isn't exactly giving the bull a long time to get over decades of hiding who he was.

"Penny a for your thoughts?" Gideon said suddenly and Richard jumped as he realised he had been just sitting in silence and staring.

"Sorry, just a little tired." He mumbled in deep embarrassment. "I was just trying to think what to do while here." It wasn't exactly a lie but it was far enough from the truth to not exactly be true either.

"Ah, well you are in Luck," the fox replied taking a sip from his cider. "Bunnyburrows has many wonderful views and so much space. There is loads to do, you can walk, hike, perambulate, ramble, saunter, amble, stroll, wander, traverse, roam, or wander to see the sights. And if none o them options appeals, you could also go for a drive or a bicycle ride in the country and see the sights."

"What, no trekking?" Richard asked with a roll of his eyes.

"Only on a Sunday!" Laughed the fox.

"So, not much to do then," observed the tiger.

"Best I can hope for most evenings is a nice meal and a chat with a friend, or potential new friend," Gideon replied smoothly and once more his eyes met the tiger's and Richard knew what sort of evening the fox had in his mind.

Taking a large gulp from his drink Richard smiled, "I can think of worse ways to spend my evening."

"I have a small flat, just upstairs." The fox explained with a smile. Gideon's paw slipping off his drink and cross to lightly touch the tiger's arm.

"I... have someone... well a sort of someone," Richard burst out suddenly, jerking his arm back just a little. The touch had felt good, and Richard had definitely been interested in more. However, he wasn't sure if he should and he also knew, he'd probably only want fun with the fox. He was a touch on the small size for his tastes, plus they lived so far away. Richard hadn't come out there to start anything long distance.

"Ah, I do apologise. Ah didn't mean any offence, officer," Gideon replied looking away.

"No!" Richard cut in sharply. "Look... you seem really nice and believe me I am very interested. However... look I just... there's this bull and we kinda hit it off. However, he was sort of off his head at the time and now he's all freaking out because he is really in the closet. I'm not even sure he really knows that he's gay. I told him he could have some space, but it's not like we are dating and... I'm just really fucking confused, to be one-hundred per cent honest." Richard was panting and trembling as he shot out the truth in shorthand form at the bewildered baker. "Also a mouse snuck into my bedroom last night and tried to kill me with poison. That's not got much to do with going upstairs with you, but... I really don't want to be alone and I have no friends here."

"Wow, now that was a jaw-cracking amount of information to get in less than twenty seconds," Gideon observed and then he shrugged. "Well, you don't have to be alone. Ahem more than happy to just sit and talk. Ain't no mice here likely to try and poison you, leastways not while you show good manners. Sounds like your fella has a whole parcel of trouble going on in his head. I remember what I was like when I hadn't faced myself yet. I was a bully, cause it made me feel like ah had control when I didna."

"I.... I think I always knew," the tiger replied, grateful for anyone to talk to about it. "I just... I wanted to hide it."

"Ah did that too, however, after my Pa passed away I realised I had missed a chance to let him know who I really was." the fox said sadly. "My ma took it well though, she was the one who inspired me to bake. She was always baking an I was always in the kitchen helpin."

"My parents..." Richard stopped, he had gone through that whole thing too many times in such a short number of days, he couldn't face saying it once more.

Gideon didn't need to hear it. He'd seem Bonnie Hopps reaction and he knew that would have been his ma's reaction to a boy being rejected by his parents. The fox was also smart enough to know that sometimes there are no words of comfort that will do. So instead he let the tiger know he was there for him with a paw placed on Richard's lower arm. This time Richard didn't pull away.

"Do... do you remember when you were a cub and everything about being an adult seemed so easy?" He whispered. "You get up, go to work, do what you want and nobody could stop you."

"Yeah, ah remember." the fox said softly.

"Why couldn't life be like that, just simple. Like, is it meant to be this hard?" the tiger felt himself trembling as he spoke. "I just want to be a police officer, meet a nice guy fall in love and... I dunno just be happy. Why is that so damned awkward?"

"Ha! Believe me, I have asked myself that question on more than one occasion." the fox laughed. "T'ain't exactly easy being gay here. Ah am the only one in the town who is... out. Makes dating hard when the other guy don't want anyone in the Tri-burrows area to see you together."

"People here ever give you a hard time?" Richard asked, taking another swig from his drink.

Gideon shrugged, "aye, sometimes. Most don't though. Winning awards tends to make people here hold their tongue in a town like this." That rang true with Richard, people ignore prejudices when it came to town pride. Having a champion to crow about was more important than who that champion slept with. "What about your fellow officers?"

Richard shrugged, "they only found out this morning just before I left. One person I thought was a friend told me not to talk to her again, one person I barely knew told me he thought I was brave. So... fifty-fifty thus far."

"Could be worse," Gideon replied, proving he was definitely a glass is half full kind of guy.

"I guess," the tiger replied. It was nice to have someone to talk to about this, with Nick being so far away he had a new handsome fox to talk his troubles over with. For a moment Richard worried he was becoming a little vulpine dependant. However, they always seemed to have a different perspective on things, maybe it was to do with what Nick said about being neither one thing nor the other. Or maybe he'd just gotten lucky and found two good guys he could talk with openly and he shouldn't assume all foxes would be the same.

The afternoon evaporated with more talking, more pie and more cider. The sky was getting dark when Richard emerged from Gideon's bakery. His head was spinning a little and he had the healthy warm glow of drinking a good few pints of what Gideon described as robust cider. Which Richard was just realising meant very potent.

Luckily for him, the bed and breakfast was just across the road. Unluckily for him, his bedroom was on the top floor. Heaving his weary body up he unlocked the door and locked it behind him. His body crashed into the mattress seconds later, still fully clothed. It was just nine at night and yet it felt like five am, maybe because he had woken up so very early.

<<>>

Richard blinked, he didn't know how he'd gotten there. The last thing he remembered was falling into his bed and yet here he was, back across the road, ringing the doorbell of the flat above Gideon's bakery. T Which he assumed was the flat belonging to the fox. That assumption was proven correct when a bewildered looking Gideon opened the door. "Howdy, Richard. Is everything alright?"

"Yeah... can I come in?" the tiger asked, gulping softly and glancing up and down the street.

"Sure, always room for one more," the fox said opening the door wide and stepping back. A short well-lit and clean flight of stairs led up to Gideon's apartment. As they climbed the stairs, Richard's eyes fell on the fox's plump rump, swaying just at eye height. His heart began to race and he knew why he'd come back.

As soon as they were through the door at the top of the stairs, he made his move. Gideon didn't have time to move or resist. One moment he was turning and then next Richard had his lips pressed to the fox's. He needed this, so badly needed to be held right then. There wasn't even a struggle Gideon returned the kiss passionately almost immediately. Their muzzles interlocking and their tongues duelling.

The fox tried to pull back from the kiss a little, Richard wouldn't let him. If they spoke there was a chance he would want to talk. Talking would lead to thinking and if there was one thing he didn't want to do right then it was think. His body was on fire with a need and he didn't want to talk until it was satisfied. So he pressed Gideon up against the wall, using his larger body. The fox was like Nick, and yet much bigger, his plump body felt good as it ground against Richard's lithe frame.

His paws stroked over and around Gideon's chest and belly, enjoying the soft bulk; while soft whimpers of pleasure escaped Gideon's lips. Then he pushed his paws down, grasping around the rather impressive tent the fox had pitched. Gideon gave a sharp intake of breath and the tiger knew he had his prey. Breaking the kiss he whispered the one thing he needed to know at that moment, "bedroom?"

A trembling fox paw pointed at a closed door. That was all he needed; Richard took off, dragging the aroused and confused vulpine behind him. Not that Gideon took much dragging, he was running along, the pair of them tore off clothing as they moved. In the short space between the front door and the bedroom, they managed to strip completely, leaving a trail of mixed clothing.

Richard took a moment to enjoy the sight of the naked male fox. His red fur a wonderful contrast to the white fluffy chest and belly. Gideon's erection was impressive, it certainly put Nick's in the shade for length and girth, and it hung over two nuts any larger animal would have been proud of. While his eyes devoured the fox, Gideon was eating up his perfect feline form, broad well-muscled chest, his smaller waist and a very nice looking feline cock.

"Y... y'all a top?" The fox asked and Richard shook his head slowly and Gideon looked like a feral fox just after it successfully broke into a hen house. It was clear that Gideon was more than happy to have the negative answer. With a swirl of his paw, he asked Richard to turn around.

In an instant, Richard was over the bed on his stomach. The bed was far lower than his own, made for a medium-sized species. His muzzle was right at the head of the bed, his feet sticking off the end. He pressed himself down as low as he could, to give the shorter male the best access possible. There was no questions or thoughts in his mind. Only anticipation of the certainty that he was about to get something he needed.

Closing his eyes he tried to control his breathing, wondering what was taking the fox so long. Richard almost jumped as he felt two paws grasping his buttocks, he whimpered softly when those paws pulled his furry cheeks apart. Warm breath blew over his exposed pucker and down his taint and Richard trembled, guessing what was coming next. His tail trashed a little as he submitted to his base desires, and to another male.

The first lick was so gentle it left nothing but a tickle, as Gideon licked slowly from his balls to his pucker. Gideon taking a good slow taste, an aperitif before he gorged himself on succulent tiger rump. Richard bit down as he knew with certainty what was coming next. The fox had given him savoury succour downstairs, and now it was time for him to provide the fox with the same in return.

Gideon seemed to take an age, it was as if they had all night. Richard realised they did indeed have all night. His needs may be desperate, but their fulfilling was inevitable and there was no harm in taking it slow; fulfilling them at whatever pace his partner wanted. That warm tongue bathed over his pucker, again and again, tickling it and swirling around it. The tiger felt himself relaxing to the soft tickling.

Before Richard even knew what was going on, Gideon's tongue had wriggled into his pucker. The relaxed muscle had put up almost no fight at all. Richard bit down his cries of pleasure as he felt that fox tongue worming its way deeper. It felt good, little thrills of pleasure and the knowledge that someone was willing to touch him in such an intimate way. A desperate gasp of pleasure escaped his lips as he felt a spark of pleasure running up his spine. The wily fox had found his mark already.

A muffled chuckled confirmed that Gideon knew what his tongue had just touched. Wriggling more he lashed the tiger's prostate again and again. Richard moaned and whimpered the pleasurable sensations growing, his cock under him aching and drooling. His eyes closed and for a moment he thought of Bogo... how much he wished the buffalo was willing to do something like this. A pang of guilt hit him hard, but it was drowned out by more waves of pleasure as Gideon redoubled his attack.

The fox grabbed Richard's perfectly toned striped buttocks like he owned them. There was no doubts, no hiding from him. No fighting either, it was sex, the way sex was meant to be, between people who both want it badly. Of course, he knew he was wanting something, something more. The tongue felt good, but as the seconds past, Richard knew it would not be enough to sate his desires.

Sure enough after just a couple of minutes, he gave in, "fuck me." He whispered the words and he felt Gideon's tongue pause inside him. Then it resumed its squirting assault as if he hadn't heard. Blushing Richard knew what this was, "fuck me." This time he said it clearly and loud enough there was no chance the fox didn't hear him.

The result was the same, more tongue more squirming inside him. It felt good but not nearly enough, the desire was burning so bright inside him the tiger's entire body was trembling. "Stop teasing, please I need it. Fuck me!" This time he spoke loudly, not begging but almost demanding, politely.

Gideon's good-natured, smiling face soon slipped into view as his tongue pulled free, "well, I ain't gonna refuse a polite request like that. But afore we... do, I gotta ask. You like to be tied?"

Richard blushed at the question and shrugged his shoulders, "I've never been tied before." The look of disappointment on Gideon's face tugged hard at the tiger's heartstrings and on his cock in equal measure. "However, I can think of nothing I'd want to try more... if you think you can get it in."

A smug confident smile spread across the fox's face, Gideon knew he could indeed get it in, "well, there's only one way to be sure." The fox replied and Richard saw him reach down; the tiger gulped knowing the fox was stroking an erection he would soon bury deep in smooth and warm tiger depths. There was no need for further words the large fox stepped forward and Richard gasped to feel something warm pressing to his drooling and eager pucker.

With a shared cry of pleasure Gideon thrust into him. His cock was thick and Richard purred at the full feeling. Though it was hard not to think at how much bigger Bogo was. The warm slick meat slid into his prepared depths easily and he sighed with a moment of content. However, a moment was all he was given.

It seemed the fox was suddenly in a hurry, now he was knot deep inside the tiger's ass. Pulling back rapidly until just the tip remained Gideon then thrust forward harder and faster. His thick knot smacking up hard against Richard's pucker. Richard felt himself stretching a little more and he groaned in pleasure, wondering what it would feel like when that full mass slipped inside him and grew. He'd always wanted to try taking a canine cock fully, a vulpine one would be a good starter.

With growing speed, Gideon thrust into him again and again and again. Each time using his full length. The deep dicking sending waves of pleasure coursing through Richard's body. He no longer tried to muffle his cries of pleasure, screaming them out. The fox replied in kind with deep guttural grunts of pleasure as he stuffed the tiger's ass full with fox cock. Each thrust got faster and harder, the knot pressing harder and harder against Richard's tight entrance.

A deep purr burst from his chest unbidden as he felt the thickness ramming inside him. His hips pushed back, meeting every thrust willingly and happily. He closed his eyes and just basked in the feeling of being taken, of being held. Gideon's paws were clutching him tighter as the moments past. It was that feeling he loved most, being held, being wanted. Richard pushed back more and more, as the fox's thickness plundered his silken depths.

The room filled with the sounds of their passion, their scents mixing together into a deeply intoxicating perfume. Fox and tiger musk, sweat, bodies and the warmth that filled them both. Over and over Gideon thrust, taking him with growing desperate passion. His voice filled with rough snarls and growls as he gave in to his lusts; trying to claim the tight bitch, who was holding his knot out so far.

Richard cried out as he felt a paw slip under him. Fox fingers tried to grasp fully around his shaft, then stroked. The new pleasure making him mewl out louder. He heard a soft chuckle from Gideon's lips. With short and powerful jabs the fox was pummeling his depths; his knot smashing hard, knocking for entry to Richard's warmth. Biting down on his lip Richard was torn between the desire to be taken completely and the need to make this last. Clenching slightly he held the line, forcing the knot out in a defiant challenge to his lover.,

Gideon responded with a deep feral growl of pure animalistic lust. The thick fox was not going to let any bitch hold him out. He had broken in tighter and stronger than Richard. Fox hips blurred as Gideon leant over him, his paws going from Richard's hips to his shoulders. The weight of the fox pressed him down hard into the sheet dominating him, holding the feline bitch in position. While his hips pounded away without mercy, grinding hard now and then, his knot forcing Richard's ring to open more and more.

Growling in response Richard fought back, clenching down hard. In his mind, he knew he wanted to lose, but he had to fight. Gideon had to prove himself to the tiger, more than any other lover. The feline needed it, needed the strength of his lover to be greater than his, especially after the day he had had. It was essential, the desire to feel safe with a lover who could best him. He needed it so badly, fuck why did Bogo send him away? All he wanted was the big dumb fuck to hold him, let him know it would be ok?

With a deepened yip the fox thrust and ground more. The fox's thick knot grinding hard, moving at glacial pace, forcing its way through all defences. Richard felt himself giving, stretching and he loved the feeling. Those heavy paws holding him down. His own paw slipped under him and grabbed his drooling shaft. He knew he was close, but what he needed to plummet off the cliff edge of bliss was the be broken and taken completely.

Fox claws scratched at his flesh, Gideon using all his might to force Richard back as he thrust again and again. No longer fast and furious, his thrusts were powerful and precise. Each time the fox's hips hit him so hard he felt the shock of it passing through his entire body. Yet still, he held Gideon's knot at bay. Inside he smiled, thinking softly 'earn it!' It seemed like Gideon was a mind reader because he pressed harder and harder. The fox's large belly laying down over his back and Richard purred to feel the warmth of his lover over him.

Richard knew his defences were almost over and he longed to surrender, however, he had to be beaten fully. Gideon proved himself more than up to the task, thrusting forward again, grinding his knot until it was almost inside, pulling back slightly and then with a cry of triumph he thrust again. This time the knot rammed right through his tight ring. Richard cried out as well, feeling the thick muscle swelling fast inside him, squeezing his prostate in a way no lover had ever done.

Having claimed his victory Gideon drove home hard and fast, breeding his ass desperately with the tiny few millimetres of leeway he had. Not that it mattered, they were both far beyond the point of no return. Richard felt the warm jets as Gideon fucked his stretched and abused ass full of vulpine seed. His own cock jerked and twitched in his paw as he stained Gideon's sheets with feline spunk.

The two exchanged no words, their bodies grinding together as they were lost to the pleasure of the moment. Eventually, they came to a rest, with Gideon still locked inside him. The fox lay over his back, the warmth and pressure both welcome. Richard's exhausted eyes closed and he fell into a comfortable and deep sleep.

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