Caden was set inside the library of his summer school. His normal one didn’t host classes over summer, but the local high school was happy to facilitate any students that needed help catching up. The library itself was quite large, the typical stacks of books layered along the wall along with a few shoulder height book cases littered around the area. He had parked himself at one of the computer stations and was watching a science lecture recorded earlier in the year. It was covering photosynthesis and root systems of plants, and Caden couldn’t find it any more boring. Stepping inside the library behind him though, was a familiar face. Kayla, one of his former classmates from Sun Valley Jr. High, the same wolf that Nick and Judy had interviewed during his disappearance. She spotted Caden and cautiously made her way over. 
“Hey.” She playfully tapped him on the shoulder. 
“Oh, hey.” Caden nodded briefly, doing a double take. “Wait, what are you doing here?” 
“There’s a few e-books I wanted to pick up, the high school lends em out for free.” She explained, holding a tablet to her waist. “Big nerd, I know.” She played off. 
“Yeah, totally.” Caden snickered. “It’s summer, shouldn’t you be, I don’t know, playing with friends or something?” 
“As if.” Kayla scoffed. “Think I’m into dolls or something? Nah, I like reading at night. Sides, a few of the ones I picked out we’re supposed to be doing in grade 8. Maybe it’ll give me a leg up on the exams and stuff.” 
“Nerd.” He playfully shoved. 
“Shut up.” She giggled, leaning over his shoulder. “Oh, Mr. Lanisters lecture. I was there for that.” 
“Did you pass out from boredom. Or wait, lemme guess you like it, huh?” 
“Eh, not really. I’m more of a physics girl. I liked studying kinetic energy, inertia, friction, hoping maybe even a bit of astrophysics some day. I love star gazing.” 
“Ok.” 
“You know, I still have my notes from the class. You can have em if you want.” She suggested. 
“Yeah? You’re serious?” Caden perked up. 
“Course. They’re at home, but I can bring them tomorrow.” Kayla offered. 
“Oh, I won’t be here tomorrow. Got a bit of “community service” I gotta do. Fancy way of uncle Matt saying I gotta babysit for free.” Caden shrugged.
“Oh.” Kayla hung her head. 
“But hey, why don’t you come by and drop them off. I can let uncle Matt know you’re coming.” Caden proposed, scratching his head. “Maybe he’ll even let ya help me babysit.” 
“Really?” She smiled. “Yeah, I mean. Yeah ok, that’s cool.” She played off. “But no smoking right? That stuff you used to smoke smelled like a skunks butt.” 
“No, no smoking anymore.” He submitted. “Hey.” Caden perked up his brow. “How would you know what a skunks butt smells like?” 
“Haha shush you.” 
“Miss Mira!” A pig teacher spoke up. “You called ahead for some e-books?” 
“Yes Mr. Hoginson, I’ll be right there!” She acknowledged, turning back to Caden. “Tomorrow?” 
“Yeah, pass me your phone. I’ll give you my number while you’re grabbing the books.” Caden nodded eagerly. 
“Cool. It’s a date.” She winked. 

“Ow!” Kate fumed, the fox doctor stitching the wounds on her chest closed. Wolford, Judy and Kate were taken a nearby medical center in Sahara Square. 
“Stop squirming Miss Rosa.” 
“Stop sucking at patching me up.” Kate fired back. 
“Kate.” Wolford moaned, tipping his head. “Try to relax.” 
“Oh you relax.” She huffed. “I’m getting threaded together like a bad pair of jeans- OW!” 
“Ok, that’s the last one.” The doctor concluded, snipping the stitch. “Should take it easy the next few days until those properly heal up.” 
“Yeah yeah, can I go now?” 
“Please.” He chuckled. “Keep those wounds clean, you should be fine within a week or two. Get those stitches out in ten days Miss Rosa.” Taking his leave of the three of them. 
“Liking the view?” She perked up to Wolford, showcasing the fact she was topless. 
“No, as a matter of fact I don’t.” He shook his head. “You got blood in your fur and that wolf nearly took a chunk out of you.” Ryan leaned down, patting her cheek. “Nothing about that I like.” 
“Well he’s not the first.” She whispered. 
“I’m still trying to get my head around this. What could have made those mammals go that savage?” Judy pondered. 
“An explosion, red mist and boom. Monsters like out of a fuckin nightmare.” Kate joined in. 
“Red mist?” 
“Yeah, it came pouring out of that shop.”
“I’ll fetch the autopsy results as soon as they’re available. Hope they ran at least a basic blood analysis on the victims.” Ryan stated, folding his arms.  
“What’s our next move?” Kate wondered. 
“In the dossiers, it mentioned that Yorik was an explosive technician but, nothing that would indicate that she had any history of biochemistry.” 
“The Nighthowler case, Walter and Jessie had backgrounds in that, right? The sheep from the train you talked about?” Ryan noted. 
“Yeah, it’s how they knew how to make it. Someone with that kind of skill; savage mammals but on a new level. Ryan, I think we need to go visit; her.” Judy suggested. Ryan tipped his head and stuffed his paws in his pockets. 
“I don’t know.” He sighed. 
“Who?” Kate asked urgently. 
“The one who was at the root of all this before, Dawn Bellweather.” 

The steel door clanked wide open as Judy, Ryan and Kate stepped through. They were in Zootopia’s maximum security prison, embedded into one of the large sand dunes in Sahara Square. Much of the facility was under ground for added security, with only a basic courtyard at the top of the prison. Judy stepped inside what looked like a lunchroom. Folding tables, basic metal chairs and barred up windows. Ryan nodded to one of the guards. 
“Go on then.” 
“Sir.” The polar bear nodded. Judy, Kate and Ryan took a seat and waited as two hippos came through the main door. Sure enough smack in between them was a scowling Dawn Bellweather. Adjusting her glasses with her shackled hooves. The guards gave her a lift into the seat set across from the trio of officers. Bellweather gave a quick huff as the guards backed off. 
“Well now, isn’t this a surprise.” She smiled. 
“Dawn Bellweather.” Judy acknowledged. 
“Miss Hopps. Oh wait, isn’t that supposed to be Mrs. Wilde?” She quipped, taking a glance at Kate. “Guess you traded out your last fox for this one, huh? How is this model working for you?” 
“Hey Ryan, why don’t we dye her pink and rent her out as a cotton candy at the faire?” Kate snipped. 
“Kate.” He groaned. “Dawn, we need to ask you a few questions.” 
“Oh mutton-chops, those will have to go through my lawyer instead.” She retorted. 
“Miss Bellweather please.” Judy pled. “Do you know anything about a red mist that can make animals go savage?” Dawn just threw up her brow and dismissed it. 
“Never heard of it.” 
“This is different than the serum you developed with those sheep.” Ryan explained. “The nighthowler serum transferred through the skin, this seems like it’s more airborne.” 
“Look, I don’t know anything useful to you. In fact even if I did, the absolute last mammal on this entire planet –including this entire universe for that matter- would be the overly zealous cop and her obnoxious predator partners who put me in here to begin with.” 
“I figured.” Ryan sighed. “This is useless; this walking, talking sweater-vest doesn’t know her ass from a hole in the ground.” 
“Alright fantastic, now if you don’t mind, I finally got my T.V privileges back and I want to catch up on the news.” She stated, turning around and bounding off the chair. 
“That’s a real shame.” Judy leapt off the chair and stepped around the table. “Cause you know, seeing as how you’re stuck here in maximum security prison, it’s probably not likely you’ll get any privileges beyond T.V. However at minimum security prison, you get internet, newspapers, real food, a rec room, oh and did I mention that dinner actually comes with desert?” Judy casually explained, strolling around to the front of Bellweather’s view. “Sounds nice, doesn’t it? It’s usually just a place for mammals who commit non-violent crimes but, I mean aside from shooting Nick with a blueberry-“ She touted, planting her nose an inch away from her face. “I’m sure this over-zealous cop could get you transferred with a little, oh I don’t know, proper cooperation.” She smiled. 
“D-d-dessert?” Dawn stammered. “Internet? You mean I won’t have to share a cell with those nasty smelling hippo twins!?” She fumed. 
“Private, cell.” Judy stated. 
“Oooo. This is a ruse. It has to be.” 
“It’s not.” Ryan interjected. “It was Judy and Nick’s testimony that landed you here. With Nick gone, you only need her commendation to be eligible for a transfer.” 
“So what’s it gonna be? You gonna help out the little guys one more time?” Judy smiled, waving her carrot pen. 
“Ugh.” She fumed. “What do you want to know?” 
“Anything you got.” 
“Alright, give me the low-down. What’s happening? Tell me about this red smoke.” She said. Judy, Ryan and Kate took their turns explaining what had happened in the street. Along with the experiments that were being done at the old fennerite facility. “Hmm.” 
“Hmm what?” Kate questioned. 
“I don’t get it. Ok. So I knew Shelly Yorik somewhat well, she doesn’t really have the background to be making that kind of chemical.” Bellweather explained. 
“George Rhyhorn and Alex Stamper are with her too.” Judy explained. “Along with a rabbit we believe named Roger Leppes.” 
“Oh please.” Dawn brushed off. “Those are lackeys, they don’t have the know-it-all to make something as complex as what you’re describing. I drafted in Walter and his crew because they had a background in bio-chemistry- Oh!” She exclaimed, snapping her hooves. “Melissa!” 
“Melissa?” Judy asked. 
“Shelly has a little sister. Really smart, but got into a medical research position at Clawson and Hoover.” 
“I know that place.” Kate spoke up. “In the Zootopian Spire of Unity center. You know, the big spiral shaped building downtown? I worked there as a receptionist for like, a day before I signed up at the academy.”
“We should talk with her right away.” 
“I’ll speak with Delgato and arrange for a warrant.” Ryan stated. “Kate, check her records when we get back to the office, see what you can dig up on Melissa Yorik.” 
“I’ll speak to Bogo and Delgato too. See what I can do in regards to a transfer for you, Bellweather.” 
“You mean it?” 
“I’m a mammal of my word. Keep me posted on anything you find guys. I gotta head back home.” 
“Right.” Ryan agreed.

The next morning, Judy was joined by Ryan, Kate and Matt as they ventured to The Spire of Unity. Strolling through the grand lobby and heading toward the elevator, they piled in and hit the button for the 24th floor. Judy recalled how Kate said she had worked in this building at one point and asked. 
“So, why did you quit?” 
“Mmm?” Kate glanced down to her. “Oh. Yeah, if you think reception at the ZPD is a bit much, try managing 64 floors of arrogant pigs. Half of which just keep staring at your tail. 
“Pigs were hitting on you?” Ryan questioned. 
“Ugh, and it was a total turn off. Can’t stand the thought, I mean the skin texture? Bluh!” Kate shuddered. “Call me old fashioned but I like my mammals furry.” 
“Well we best stay mild mannered here.” Matt advised. “These fella’s are business types, definitely not afraid to sue the ZPD if something goes awry.” 
“Agreed.” Ryan approved, glancing over to the elevator console as it dinged for floor 24. Stepping out, they walked down a rather brief, wood railed hall before heading inside the reception center for the medical research facility. It was a small office with a single yak working at a desk, surrounded by fogged glass and a single door on the far right. 
“Can I help you?” He asked. Ryan approached the counter and slid the warrant under the glass. 
“ZPD, we’re here to speak with Melissa Yorik.” 
“Um, ok. Hang on.” He nervously reached for the phone and dialed for his boss. “I got some cops here to see Melissa. Should I let them in? Ok, got it.” He placed the phone down and turned to the officers. “My boss will be here in a second.” Sure enough within moments a bulky, black suited pig stepped out from the door and approached. 
“Hello, I’m Johnathan Slawps. I’m the liaison for Mr. Michael Hoover. Is there something I can do for you?” He asked, shaking Ryan’s paw. 
“We’re here to speak with Melissa Yorik, we have a warrant.” 
“For her arrest?” He asked, sliding on his glasses to read it over. 
“No, just to speak with her.” Slawps looked the group over and gave a quick shrug. 
“Awful overkill to bring four cops to question a little racoon like her but, certainly. This way.” He gestured toward the door, leading them inside. The hallway behind lead to a massive glass encompassed lab with several mammals inside in white suits. Multiple machines also coated in white, many of them being operated by the researchers. From left to right the equipment seemed to increase in size, as though it were proportionate to the mammals working on them. Slawps pressed on a touch screen display near one of the doors, the icon changing to a speaker. “Dr. Yorik, step outside with us please.” He announced over the PA inside. One of the mammals in a small confined office, veiled in a full white hazard coat and mask peered up, stepping down from her workstation and shutting the door behind her. Popping the mask off, she swiped her card and exited through the double doors. 
“What is it? What’s going on?” She asked urgently. 
“These officers would like a word with you.” Slawps explained. 
“What, I didn’t do anything.” 
“We need to talk about your sister.” Judy spoke up. Melissa went wide eyed for a moment before sighing and hanging her head. 
“Great, mind if we talk in the lunch room? I’m famished.” 
“Sure.” Kate and Judy both answered. Inside the rather surprisingly spacious lunch room, Melissa slipped from her lab coat to reveal a white T shirt and leggings. She grabbed her sandwich from the fridge and poured herself a cup of coffee before addressing the officers in the room. 
“Ok so, what’s going on? What did Tess do this time?” 
“Tess?” Kate wondered for a moment. 
“It’s actually Shelly.” Judy answered promptly. “We believe she’s involved in the attack that happened in Tundratown the other day.” 
“Our sources have informed us she’s working with some kind of strange red mist like gas. Something mixed with Nighthowlers and other unknown substances.” Matt threw in. 
“Oh great. You’re kidding me right?” Melissa moaned, taking a sip of her coffee. 
“Does it look like we’re joking?” Ryan jumped in. “Five mammals are dead from just that last attack, and her research has claimed the lives of even more. Even little cubs, so if you have anything to share-“ 
“Yeah, alright already.” Melissa waved down. “God, I really didn’t think Shelly would go this far but.” She trailed off shaking her head. 
“Do you know what’s happening?” Judy questioned, raising her carrot pen. 
“This red mist stuff? No. What’s going on with her? Yeah, I got some idea.” She began to explain. “Me and Shelly, we don’t see eye to eye on much but we still chat here and there you know? Holidays and family dinner kind of things but. Ever since her divorce.” 
“We’re not interested in her life story.” Ryan dismissed. 
“Just want the cliff notes, huh? Look the divorce pushed her over the edge. She went full-on when she got the position at the fennerite lab. She’s always been weird about explosives. But then the whole thing with the cooling towers and that cheetah dude and fox, well, you know that whole deal. It hit her hard. She asked me for the notes I kept from med school. Said she was thinking of going back to take up a new field.” Melissa explained, taking another sip. “I thought it was weird, but with her I never really knew what to expect. She’s a real self-learner. Can get really motivated if she pushes herself hard enough and with the right teacher, like that creepy fucking deer she was seeing, she could pick up enough to get by.” 
“Are you saying, there’s someone else involved in this we don’t know.” Kate inquired. 
“I can’t remember the buck’s name, but he isn’t from around here. He vanished and up till about today, I thought so did she.” 
“When was the last time you got in contact with her?” Judy asked. 
“Two years ago. She said she was working on some private contract and couldn’t disclose the details. Me, my mom and dad, hell even Tess got suspicious, we asked her to keep it out of the family.” Melissa stated. 
“Why didn’t you bring it up with us?” Kate chimed in. 
“Ok she said, private contract. Is that really a lot to go on?” She snapped back. Kate folded her paws and huffed. “Sorry.” Melissa sighed. “I’m just really tired, we hit a snare on our project here and it’s been a major pain in the ass to overcome.” 
“What project is that?” Matt wondered. 
“I’m sorry, with all due respect I can’t discuss that.” Melissa shook her head. Ryan felt his phone vibrate and checked it. Delgato was sending him the autopsy reports on the victims from the attack.
“Mind if I ask you a few basic questions?” Judy asked. 
“Sure.” 
“Full name?” 
“Melissa Dee Yorik.” 
“Age?” 
“29.” 
“Umm. Marital status?” 
“Single.” Melissa rolled her eyes. 
“Occupation?” 
“Pharmaceutical development specialist and project lead.” 
“And address.” 
“Room 1404, Peak Street Heights apartments.” 
“Huh, that’s.” Judy tapped the pen on her lip. 
“That’s literally two minutes away from here.” Kate filled in the blank. 
“Yeah, but when I’m working on a project like this, I usually just sleep in the office. Just go home to shower, that kind of thing.” 
“What do you make of this?” Ryan asked, handing the phone to Melissa. She zoomed in on the files, a look of horror washing over her. She scrolled to the next one, and the next shaking her head. 
“Oh god. What the. This is. That’s fucking disgusting!!” She exclaimed. 
“Whoa.” Matt seemed taken aside.
“Th-th-this would be horrible! What the hell!? Carcerophenol, Methenoline Glycol, Canaphine, Mindicampum exctract. This is just insane!” 
“So what do you make of it?” Ryan spoke up once again. 
“If this is right, this was in their blood stream it’s fundamentally an insane amount of dopamine inhibitors offset by the Mindicampum extract. No mammal could take this and live, it’s vile! Wha- how!? How was this introduced into the body!?” She begged. 
“The red mist.” Judy stated. 
“No.” Melissa shook her head. “Aerosolized?!” Slapping her own head she carried on. “Of course, introduced through inhalation, gets into the bloodstream through the lungs, would likely rush passed the blood-brain barrier too. But I don’t understand. Why make this!?” 
“We aren’t sure.” Ryan shook his head. 
“Caden mentioned.” Matt spoke up. “He mentioned some kind of deer on the screen, when he was taken into the lab. His “Girlfriend.” Kayla was soaked in this stuff along with other mammals and they went ballistic, killing each other.” 
“The mammals we saw in Tundratown were taking taser and tranq shots like they were nothing, they were even shaking off gunshot wounds.” Judy joined in. 
“Something like this.” Melissa began. “It would do it. I’d need a sample of it.” 
“For what?” Kate retorted. 
“To come up with an antidote.” Melissa grunted. “If Shelly is behind this, then I have some blame in this as well. Get me a sample and I’ll do everything I can to come up with a countermeasure to it. Just don’t expose yourselves to that stuff. I doubt any mammal alive could take it.” 
“So you’ll help us?” Judy smiled. 
“Of course. Listen, I’m not my sister. I got a good thing going here. The job’s hard but I’m earning bucks out the backside. If there’s anything at all I can do to help, please let me. If I can get a sample of this stuff, I’m sure I could come up with some kind of counter measure for it.” Melissa stated. Judy drudged her way up to her door, slid the keys in and pushed it open. The house was fairly quiet for the late afternoon. By this time, Bonnie was usually well on her way to cooking dinner while the kids would be bouncing off the couch to greet her. However this time, the house was abandoned, still and quiet. 
“Hello!?” She called out, placing her keys down. “Anyone home?” 
“Up here sis.” Ian answered. Judy scooted up the stairs and peeked into the computer room. Ian was laid back in his chair, watching the screen while a strange black box was parked near the monitor. 
“What are you up to?” Judy smiled, folding her arms as she leaned on the door frame. 
“Well, gotta promise me you won’t get mad.” 
“I promise I’ll try.” 
“That’ll do.” Ian snickered. “So um. After Nick and Parker left, I got my paws on this little guy.” Gesturing to the black box. 
“What is it?” 
“Um.” 
“It’s not illegal is it?” Judy took a more serious form. 
“Well. Kind of?” Ian scratched the back of his head. 
“Ian! What the hell are you thinking!?” 
“Sis, calm down. Look, I’m not using this to do anything bad per say. It’s a combination crypto onion router tied in with a network decryptor. It’s basically a device for being on the net anonymously and at the same time, cracking a network you want to gain access to.” Ian explained. 
“That’s so totally illegal! Why do you have that; in my house!?” She reinforced. 
“This.” He pointed to the screen. “Come take a look. I think I got him.” 
“Who?” Judy asked stepping inside. 
“Parker and Nick. Well, at least Parker and Aiden. I’ve been monitoring the networks in Predaton and well, there has been significantly increased traffic coming out of the more ritzy places in Summerset District.” 
“Oh, so you’re tracking them?”
“Mmhmm. Right now, I’m just trying to make a secure connection, one that Parker won’t notice and hopefully can’t trace back.” Ian spoke, but just as he finished the screen shot up a confirmation window. “Hey! We’re in! This is it, 4000 Summerheights Boulevard. This is Raphael Barone’s house.” 
“Seriously!?” Judy leaned in. The cameras all came online, including the one in Parker’s room. He was walking between the T.V and table on his cellphone. “Can you get audio?” 
“Already on it.” Ian nodded. 
“Uh huh.” Parker paused. “Go, let Patrick and Phase handle the streets for a bit. Bryan will meet you at the track.” He stated, placing the phone in his pocket. 
“Psych!” Aiden called from the computer room. “We got a tail!” 
“Shit.” Parker growled, rushing into the bedroom.
“Figures, they know we’re on it.” Ian huffed. “Gotta check the rest of the house. See if we can spot Nick.” 
“Right.” Judy agreed. They scanned a few of the camera’s including the one in Barone’s office but to no avail. Nothing seemed to be going on aside from the big tiger working at his desk. One camera aimed in the garage showed Shea fixing Raphael’s car. 
“Fix tha fuckin mini-bar, fix tha fuckin axel. Aye, I gotta mind ta fix yer stripes sometimes Raphy.” 
“Well he’s colorful.” Judy leered. Suddenly the lights on the black box started flashing red. 
“Oh no you don’t!” Ian scowled. Opening up a vast assortment of windows, he began typing in what seemed like almost random numbers to Judy in the dialogue boxes. He was attempting to block the ports that Psych was attempting to exploit.
“Well well.” Ian could overhear on the camera from Psych’s room. “The rabbit wants to chase the fox.” 
“That’s right you bastard!” Ian bellowed, carrying on with his attempt to stay ahead of Psych. “Come on, come on!” 
“Not today.” Psych taunted, as the black box beside the monitor gave off a horribly loud beep before shutting down. 
“No! How!? It’s offline. Everything is offline! How!?” Ian exclaimed. “Damn it. Damn it, damn it, damn it!” 
“You did your best, Ian. That’s all that matters.” Judy consoled him, patting his shoulder. Ian noticed something on the desktop that wasn’t there before. A simple note called Untitled. Clicking it, he opened it up to read.
“Do yourself a favor, don’t try that again, Ian.” Ian read aloud. “Darn it, he’s just mocking me now.” 
“Wait. Remember what he said before?” 
“Huh?”
“He mentioned Patrick and Bryan.” Judy snapped her fingers. “And a track! The Predaton race track!” Judy exclaimed. Breaking out her phone she called Ben right away. 
“Mmm yellow!” Ben happily answered. 
“Ben! It’s Judy, listen. I need you to check out the Predaton race track.” 
“Lightning bay? Why? Something up bun-bun?” 
“I think. Look we got a tip that Nick might be at the track. I don’t know what he’d be doing but, please. Could you check it out?” 
“Course! Mariah and I were about to call it a day and all but heck, if he’s not there we can take in one of the races this evening.” 
“Thank you.” Judy sighed with relief. “You don’t know how much this means to me.” 
“I do, Judy. I really do. I promise if I find him, I’ll wrangle him back to the ol homestead just for you.” Ben chuckled. 
“Thank you!” 

“Augh! Uhh, AHH!” Kate cried out, moaning and wailing on top of Ryan. The two were mating in his bedroom, the sheets scattered and one of the pillows knocked on the floor. “Oh god, yes!” She cried out as he thrust inside her. 
“You like it, don’t you?” He smiled. Kate moaned and wailed for a good while longer, but felt a rather abrupt and unwelcome rush of fear hit. While the throbbing knot slapping her pussy was more than pleasurable. She couldn’t find it in her to make herself climax and huffed, pressing her paws on Ryan’s chest. 
“Stop stop stop.” She stammered. 
“Hey, what’s wrong?” He asked, grasping her shoulders and slipping a paw up to her cheek. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?” 
“No.” She smiled, licking his hand. “Not in a bad way at least.” She giggled. 
“Heh.” 
“It’s just. I don’t know. Since I got bit and all the achy-ness well.” 
“Don’t worry. Say no more. We can take a quick breather. So long as I can.” He suggested, pressing inside her slowly. “Well, you get the idea.” 
“Mmm. Bad wolfy.” She cooed, kissing his chest. “My good, bad wolfy.” 
“So.” He paused for a moment, unsure if he should even ask. “This issue you’re having. Is it because of that wolf that bit you?” 
“Probably a factor. I mean the stitches alone.” 
“Nah. I meant because he was a wolf.” He surmised. Kate leaned back a moment and started toying with the fur on Ryan’s belly. 
“Maybe. It’s possible you know.” 
“I’m not gonna bite you. Not like that.” Ryan tried to assure her. 
“I know.” She conceded, tipping her head. “Well, part of me knows it. Another. Not so much.” 
“Maybe you just need a little rest.” 
“Maybe.” 
“Just please don’t tell me you want a break or something.” Ryan chuckled. 
“Is that what we have?” She proposed, raising her brow. “This a relationship now?” 
“What would you call it?” He asked. Kate gave a soft chuckled and grasped some of the fur on his belly with both paws. 
“I’m not the settle down type of girl, you know. At least, not yet.” Kate stated. 
“Like I didn’t know that. But come on. What we have. It’s nice, isn’t it?” 
“Technically we shouldn’t “Have” anything.” She reminded him. “A superior isn’t supposed to be involved with a subordinate.” 
“I know, I know.” 
“But I do like what we have.” She agreed. “I just can’t do the whole, wife thing.” 
“I get that. But it’s not like I’d have you in floral dresses and making me dinner every night.” 
“God, don’t even joke about that.” 
“Well if you wanna get technical, you’re flooding my fridge with R.J’s eats so that’s kind of dinner.” He laughed. Kate shook her head and started laughing too. Biting her lip, she dismounted Ryan and settled on his chest.
“Can I stay here tonight? Just right here.” She asked, listening to his heart beat. Ryan stroked her head and pulled the covers over them. 
“Yeah, get nice and cozy.” 
“Mmm.. Don’t worry.”
“Hmm?” 
“I’ll make an early riser out of you.” She quipped. 
“Hehehehehe.”  

The next morning Judy strolled down the stairs, seeing Hannah and Liam running around playing through the dining room and Jason sat on the couch. She could hear the sound of Stu and Bonnie chatting in the kitchen about what they wanted for breakfast and getting coffee ready. It seemed quite routine until she clasped her paw on the couch and observed her son. Jason was slumped there, once again freed from his P.J’s but his ears drooping back and head hung low. Judy bounded over the back of the couch and took a seat beside him, stroking his head. 
“What’s wrong big guy? Had a bad dream?” 
“No.” Jason moaned. 
“Are we having veggies for breakfast?” Judy giggled, ruffling his cheeks. 
“Mm mmm.” He shook his head. 
“Ok, I give up. What’s going on?” She asked. Jason gave a quiet little huff and flopped over on his side. Judy took hold of his feet and rubbed the soles for a quick moment, trying to coax an answer out of him. “Come on. You can tell mama. What’s wrong Jay-jay.” 
“I miss him.” 
“Mmm?” Judy’s ears fell back. 
“Mama, when is daddy coming home?” He asked quietly. Judy felt her heart ache at the question and gave a good long sigh. 
“I don’t know.” 
“Why not!?” He pouted. “Mama, aren’t you a police officer? Can’t you find him? Just pretend he’s a bad guy and find him real quick like you find all the other bad guys.” Jason pleaded. 
“Oh honey. If I could find him and bring him home, believe me I would. But wherever daddy is, he doesn’t want to be found. While mommy might be real smart at catching bad guys, your daddy’s a good guy. They’re harder to catch.”
“No fair.” Little Jason whimpered, hiding his head in the cushion. “He should be home. I want daddy home now!” Judy leaned down and kissed her son’s cheek to which he quickly wiped it off. 
“I want him home right now too baby. I’m 100% on your side there.” Judy cooed. Thankfully a break in the sad conversation came from a ring at the door. 
“I’ll get it!!” Hannah cried out. 
“You can’t reach it! Smelly poop face!” Liam touted back. 
“Hey! Don’t call your sister that. What do you say?” Judy scolded, rushing off the couch. 
“Sawwy.” Liam dragged out, rolling his eyes. 
“That’s better.” Judy affirmed, opening the door. 
“Hey fluff-butt.” Kate greeted happily. Ryan was back behind her at the cruiser, sipping a coffee from the tray on top. “You ready?” 
“I can be in a few, what’s up?” Judy perked up. 
“We got a little break. Turns out ol Roger’s got a place in Rainforest district near the Cloud Alley. Not too far from where he, well. Dropped ya off?” She joked with a coy little smile. 
“Har har, ok I’m on it.”