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<<Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | ???>>
After earning a lot of vacation hours, Judy Hopps is now taking a two week long vacation back to her hometown. And when she gets there, a surprising person is there waiting for her on the platform.
Zootopia & all related material are © Disney (they own you) and Pixar Animation.
Word Count: 4812
The Courtship of Gideon Grey Part 1
Judy Hopps sighed contentedly, scenery whizzing by from her view on the observation deck of the train that was taking her home; her first home. Despite her complaints, despite her insistences, despite barricading herself in a supply closet, Chief Bogo had forced her into this. She… was taking a vacation. After having racked up so many hours throughout the year, she had to be manhandled into taking it. “I understand your tenacity Officer Hopps, but the fact is is that even a cop needs to take a vacation every so often, and you have earned this more than anyone here. Take a vacation, that’s an order” Bogo had declared. (Not in those exact words mind. I mean this IS Chief Bogo we’re talking about.)
Of course, she was forbidden from taking a vacation in her apartment, as the Chief was observant enough to know that she’d be on the case the very second she heard trouble. So she was told to pick somewhere far away from Zootopia, and to not return for two weeks. This is why she was now headed for Bunnyburrow. Nick had said that he’d fight the good fight while she was away, and the rabbit had found it so sweet that he’d lie like that for her. Still, it would be good to see the family again in much greater spirits, after running off so abruptly last time. At least they got the truck back in one piece.
The rest of the journey passed in no time, and soon the on-leave officer stepped off the train, suitcase in hand as she was greeted by her parents and, much to her rather perplexed surprise, Gideon Grey. “Judy!” her mother squealed happily, practically skipping forward to hug her daughter.
“Mom, it’s great to see you” Judy happily smiled, especially once her father placed a friendly paw on your shoulder.
“How’s Zootopia’s finest doing?” he proudly asked of her.
“I’m doing great, although I’ll be glad once this vacation so I can get back to work” Judy replied as her mother released her. “Not that I don’t like spending time with you guys, I’m just eager to get back to work as soon as possible” she added as her curious eyes focused on Gideon.
“Ah, h-hey there Judy” the fox stammered nervously, now finally having a moment to speak.
“Gideon, uhh, hey, what are you doing here?” Judy inquired quizzically.
“We asked him to come along” her father answered, grinning proudly in the face of his daughter’s perturbed look. “We-well, yeah, we asked him to come round. After all, you’re on vacation, you don’t wanna be hanging around a farm doing chores. So, when Gideon here was popping by to drop off some pies, well we got a little selfish and asked if he wouldn’t mind showing you around today.”
Judy looked to her father, and then to the rather nervous looking red fox. “You guys sure? I mean there’s always carrots that need farming” Judy pointed out.
“Oh don’t you worry about that, just leave the farming to your folks and enjoy yourself city slicker” her father awkwardly joked, somehow managing to steal Judy’s suitcase away from her and rushing off with Bonnie in tow, leaving Gideon and Judy alone.
“What just happened?” Judy thought to herself.
“You know, I, I, I, I’ve seen Mister H move a lot, but never as quick as that. He must have some serious farmin’ to do” Gideon awkwardly joked.
“Okay, let’s be real now Gideon, why are you here exactly?” Judy demanded.
The plump fox swallowed nervously, his lips flapping uselessly before the baleful deduction of Zootopia’s finest. “We-well, I, I, I, just uhh, you see, Mister H umm” he stammered.
“Gideon…” Judy said slowly and forcefully.
The fox stopped his stutter, and could not hide his guilty look. “Well, a-after seein’ you last time, I, I, I did wanna catch up with ya, see how you was doin’. You left so quickly last time I, I, I, I, I thought you was possessed by somethin’. So when Mister H mentioned you were comin’ in today, I, I, I, I felt like I might get that chance. With the Carrot’s Fair comin’ up soon I, I’m spendin’ so much time preparin’ in my bakery. So I, I figured I wouldn’t see ya much unless I, I, I was the one who tried. I, I asked your father to say it was his idea, since I, I, I didn’t want to be too forward as it might make me look like a creep” he meekly explained.
Judy rapidly blinked for a moment, and she just smiled. “Heh, that’s really sweet of you Gideon. I was actually planning on catching up with everyone, so at least now I’ll have a guide to tell me what’s been happening recently” she chuckled to herself.
“Well, my van’s parked nearby, so we can talk on the drive” the fox smiled, showing Judy the way.
“You know, I realize I didn’t get the chance to say it before, but I am really impressed with where you’ve ended up” Judy said appraisingly as she hiked herself into the passenger seat.
“Well thank you kindly Judy, and I, I will say the same to you. Do you know everybody in Bunnyburrow talks about how amazin’ it is that you realized your dream of becomin’ a police officer in that big ol’ city? And that you cracked the biggest case ever? We all couldn’t stop talkin’ about it for weeks” Gideon remarked as he started up his van.
“R-really? It was that big of a deal?” Judy smiled, a light blush on her face.
“Yes indeedy Judy. You shoulda heard your father, goin’ round sayin’ “My daughter is a real cop” and “She solved a case none of them city folks could figure out”. He is right proud of you Judy Hopps” Gideon smiled warmly.
Judy chuckled giddily, though it sounded a bit more like wheezing than sincere laughter. “W-well, I’m glad I helped make a difference here. It was really amazing that my parents agreed to partner with you” the rabbit declared.
“Aw shoot Judy, I was surprised when they asked me to. After we talked over some pie, we both saw the benefits of it. Do you know I’m one of the top pastry chefs in the tri-burrow area?” Gideon boasted proudly.
“My parents told me about it when I saw you last time” Judy replied.
“That was real nice of them. Your family provides such good produce, and my bakery works wonders with them. I, I also give them a few pies to sell, and always a few carrot pies on Sunday. Our businesses have done well since we partnered up, and it’s all thanks to you Judy. You helped make this little burrow a much better place” the fox sincerely declared.
Judy was silent, her mind processing that statement, and its intent. “Thank you Gideon. That, really means a lot to me” is what she finally decided to say.
“That’s okay Judy” Gideon said, his smile slowly waning. An unfortunate question was sitting at the front of his mind, and his conscience was starting to weigh down on his brow. “Uhh, Judy, this is a bit of an awkward question, but I, I, I, I just gotta ask: You remember back ways when, to that fair where you did that little play of yours?” he began nervously.
Judy connected the dots exceedingly fast, and she didn’t like the look of the picture being made. “Yes?” she grimaced with full knowledge of where this was going.
“We-well, after I, I, I, I, did, what I… did to you…. It uhh, weren’t permanent, was it?” Gideon nervously asked.
Aaaaannnnnd he went there. Judy exhaled sharply through her nostrils, and she mentally counted to three. “Gideon, that moment was a real turning point for me, you know that? The little bully you used to be, the one who scratched my cheek and told me I was just a dumb bunny? He only served to make me try harder. The mark might have gone away after a while, but the effects it had were permanent. If I can give that little bully one bit of credit, it’s that he was right, I didn’t know when to quit, and I still don’t. I suppose, if you want feel better about it, you helped to make me what I am today by scarring my face and reminding me to never give up” she said slowly, methodically, and most importantly, sympathetically.
Gideon heaved a sigh of relief, a relieved look on his chubby face. “That makes me feel a lot better, but I, I, I, I really am sorry about it anyhow. It was wrong of me to use violence like that, and I, I, I am so very sorry Judy” he apologized.
“You said sorry twice” Judy pointed out with a slight giggle.
“I just wanted to be doubly sorry” Gideon replied with a weak little smile.
“It must have been hard, apologizing to not just but everyone else you hurt.”
Gideon paused, his breath trapped in his chest as his soft and gentle eyes seemed to be replaying a million memories at once. His mouth moved slowly, trying to form words despite the sour feeling in his jaw. “Well shoot Judy, it’s never easy to apologize to somebody you hurt” he responded rather reasonably.
“You know what Gideon,” Judy murmured as that memory played on, “you’re absolutely right” she uttered as they drove into town.
It was great catching up with everyone, such as Judy’s aunt and uncle, and of course her one-hundred and ninety-eight cousins. (“We’ll be trying for two-hundred, don’t you worry bout that!”) Everyone was so eager to speak to her as well. Well, not so much speak as gush relentlessly. While she had been celebrated a fair bit in Zootopia, just, hearing all these folks act like fans really hit close to home. An apt analogy, all things considered. She actually spent several minutes just signing autographs for some of the youngsters, and all the while Gideon just stood silently and smiling while trying to make himself as unnoticeable as possible. By the time the crowd had dispersed a few hours had passed, and Judy was emotionally exhausted. Thankfully Gideon was there to help her up as they continued walking. “I told you you was pretty popular round here” the fox grinned like a Cheshire Cat.
“I just didn’t realize how much. I mean the city made a pretty big deal about it, and I took it well. But, it’s just so much more personal back here” Judy admitted lethargically. “I mean, I know so many of the people who came to see me, and, well, it’s really, uhh-”
“Strange?”
“Yeah, strange to see them all acting like a bunch of fans. It, well, made me feel like I was better than them” Judy whispered in a small and surprised voice.
Gideon cocked a brow at that suggestion. “Do ya feel better than us Judy?” he inquired with a weighty tone.
“No, of course not. I would never think I’m better than anyone here. I would never forget where I am came from Gideon” Judy replied seriously.
The fox smiled genteelly, his face slowly cracking into a sly smirk. “I know that Judy, I was only needlin’ ya” he playfully teased.
“You jerk” Judy laughed, elbowing Gideon roughly in his portly side.
“Oof! Hey now, that wasn’t very nice” the fox remarked with a slight blush.
“Neither was teasing me” Judy expertly countered.
“You’re right, I, I, I, I’m sorry Judy” Gideon sincerely apologized.
“Gideon, you don’t need to keep on apologizing y’know? We’re friends, we can tease each other from time to time so long as it’s not too mean” Judy explained.
“I, I, I, I know that Judy, I’m not a simpleton. I, I just try not to overstep my boundaries too much, just in case I, I, I might say somethin’ that could hurt somebody” Gideon reproachfully huffed.
He wore such a dour look after that, it actually made Judy feel a little gloomy too. Maybe that was just the power of foxes, since she tended to share moods with Nick from time to time. “Thank you for the consideration Gideon. It’s nice that you worry about other people’s feelings like that. Some people don’t even bother about that sort of thing, like my friend Nick” she explained.
“Nick?” Gideon remarked with a curious brow cocked.
“Yeah, he’s my fellow officer back in Zootopia. Used to be a con-artist, but now he’s the ZPD’s first ever fox recruit. I guess you aren’t the only fox that can change, huh Gideon?” Judy answered with a small smile.
“Yes indeed Miss Judy Hopps. So uh, what’s he like?” Gideon conversationally inquired.
“Nick is, well, how should I put it? He’s sly, condescending, sarcastic, greedy, and a bit of a jerk” Judy answered truthfully. Gideon gave the rabbit a funny look, his mind trying to piece together how in the Sam Hill Judy could even like the guy. “He’s also a wonderful and loyal friend who would stick his neck out for you, even if he didn’t have to. He would also pretend to bite your neck if it would help take down a megalomaniacal sheep. I don’t think there’s anyone I could possibly trust to be by my side more than him” Judy added with a sly look to Gideon.
“Oh, I, I, I, I, I see” he fox quibbled with a concerned look on his face as he tried to figure out what the dickens a ten dollar word like “megalomaniacal” meant.
“Something wrong Gideon?” the rabbit inquired, having caught onto the change in Gideon’s tone.
“Oh, no Judy, I’m just thinkin’ about what ya said. It’s nice that you trust foxes enough to work with one, after, well, I can’t have given ya a good impression of our kind” Gideon shamefully admitted.
“I’ll admit, a part of me was wary, which is why I did keep that fox repellent on me, although my parents forcing it on me might have played a part. But then the incident sixteen years ago might have also caused that precaution. But I did want to believe in Nick, although I was a real jerk to him” Judy sighed despondently.
“But you made up, so everythin’s all good right?” Gideon pressed.
“Yeah, we made up after I sorta, humiliated myself for him, on tape. “It’s called a hustle sweetheart. Boom”” Judy mimicked jokingly.
“A hustle?” the fox questioned curiously.
“Yeah, I won’t go into it, but the point is Gideon is that I believe in Nick, and I believe in you as well” Judy smiled warmly.
Gideon chuckled bashfully, his left hand rubbing his arm with pride. “Well thank you kindly Judy, that really means the world and the moon to me” he smiled back earnestly.
The two shared a look, before the chiming of a clock signified that it was now five o’clock. “Oh, it’s five already? Where does the time go?” the rabbit chuckled to herself.
“Yeah, it is” the fox responded with monotony. His eyes were transfixed on the clock, and he knew it was now or never. “Say Judy?” he began nervously.
“Yeah Gideon?”
“I, I, I, I, I was wonderin’ if you’d like to come with me. There’s somethin’ I, I’d like to show ya, if you don’t need to get back to the farm right away” the fox explained anxiously.
Rubbing her chin, Judy did know she would have to go back to the farm, but her father did say that Gideon should show her around, so, why not? “I’d love to Gideon” she happily accepted.
“It’s only a short drive” Gideon explained as they walked back to his van.
“It’s not a creepy shed where you keep your victims before you turn them into pies is it?”
“What sort of fox do ya take me for Judy? Obviously I, I, I, I would keep them in a barn.”
“HA!”
Gideon’s promise held true, as it was only a five minute drive through a field to a secluded brush area. Judy had once heard rumours as a child about the woods being haunted or something like that, but her parents forbade her from going there after she insisted she would go and arrest the ghosts for squatting. The track they were following seemed well-used, and Gideon traced it like the back of his hand. Going under a branch and round a tree, Judy gasped loudly at what she saw. The trail had led a small hill, which gave a wonderful view of outlying farmlands, and, most importantly, the visage of the sun slowly setting on he horizen. “Ain’t it pretty?” Gideon grinned as he led Judy over to a log to sit on.
“It really is something alright” Judy chuckled as she sat down.
Gideon sighed loudly as he parked his rump on the log, and he smiled at the rabbit’s look of awe. That was always the reaction of whoever came out this way to watch the sunset, but it was a sight the fox had seen a million times. So instead he kept a subtle gaze on Judy as she enjoyed the sunset instead. Although, he couldn’t help imagine a much trimmer and far better looking fox by her side. “So, you said you worked with that Nick guy right? Are you two just friends, or is there somethin’ else?” Gideon questioned anxiously.
Judy snorted loudly before breaking out into a laughing fit. “Nick, and me? HA! I like the guy a lot, and would do anything for him, but I can assure you we have zero romantic interest in each other. It just wouldn’t work between us” she explained with great mirth.
Gideon nodded thoughtfully, and then asked “Not just because he’s a fox?”
“Him being a fox has nothing to do with it. We’re just friends, and I think that’s how we both want to keep it” Judy resolutely confirmed.
Gideon nodded again; so, she wasn’t interested in Nick huh? Hmm…. Casting another look to the rabbit, the fox spied her hand free and exposed. It would be so easy just to slide it on over to her, inch by inch it would creep, until it nudged into hers. “Oh!” Judy gasped, her hand retracting from the fox.
“Oh, sorry Judy, guess I, I, I, I slid a little too far huh?” Gideon chuckled nervously.
“Yeah, I’ll… I’ll bet” Judy grimaced as she kept her hands firm in her lap. Clearing her throat awkwardly, she kept a stern gaze on the setting sun, but she kept the nervous fox square in her peripheral vision. “So how did you find this place?” she asked, just to distract herself.
“Oh, well Travis, you remember Travis right? Well, me and Travis went explorin’ round here when we were younger because our parents told us not too. As you know we had no real respect for rules, so we went on in this forest, and came across this here hill. We were little hellions for sure, but even then we knew the value of a good sunset when we saw it. So we pulled up a fallen log, this very log we’re sittin’ on, and just sat and watched. Well, we got a hidin’ when we got back, but it was worth it. We made this place our spot, and came here a lot o’times” the misty-eyed fox explained, a small and content smile on his face.
“Do you talk with Travis much these days?” Judy inquired.
There were an unsubtle look of guilt on Gideon’s face, his fond look slowly sinking into the miserable pout of guilt and regret. “We talk from time to time, but he’s a builder now, so we don’t spend much time with each other no more. Maybe that’s for the best, after what I did” Gideon guiltily admitted.
“If you don’t want to talk about it-”
“It’s fine Judy, I, I, I, I’ve made peace with it and him now. You see Judy, I was a jerk when I was just a kid, but I ended up growing up into an even bigger jerk in my adolescence. Me and Travis started causin’ hell wherever we went, and we didn’t have a care in the world. But everythin’ started goin’ downhill after I started datin’ this cute fox from a nearby burrow. I really liked her, but I kept being my jerk self, and it did not sit well with her. The last straw was right here, where yer sittin’” Gideon explained.
Judy gave a look of concern at the log beneath her, and she suddenly felt very dirty indeed. “So what happened?”
“She said she was fed up with me, and she dumped me. Well, I, I, I can tell you I didn’t take it well, and I took my anger out on everyone. And Travis… he got the worst from me. I was so mad I hurt him bad. After I cooled down, I tried to apologise to him, but he didn’t want any of it. I hurt him real bad Judy, and our friendship was over” Gideon sighed miserably.
“So is that why you started going to therapy?” Judy inquired with intrigue.
The fox yelped with surprise, his dumpy body rocking backwards as he fell off the log. “H-how did you know about that?” he asked with immense shock.
“Well, when you apologised to me the first time you were a lot more articulate than usual. I could only guess you heard it from a therapist of some kind” Judy deduced as Gideon picked himself back up on the log.
“I, I, I, I see. Well, my parents felt it was for the best for me to see someone after I started breakin’ plates. I, I, I resisted at first, but once the therapist started explainin’ stuff to me, it all started to make sense. I followed his advice, and slowly worked out my issues in a healthy way. I became a lot calmer and much nicer, but Travis still didn’t want nothin’ to do with me, which I, I knew I deserved. But I still felt plenty guilty, and was pretty miserable, instead of just angry. So, I, I, I found ways to deal with it” Gideon continued.
“Such as baking?” Judy guessed.
“That is uncanny Judy Hopps” the fox marvelled at Judy’s ability to spot the obvious.
“It’s a gift” the rabbit modestly shrugged.
“It sure is, no wonder the ZPD wants to keep ya, but you are right. Mama’s pies always made me feel better, so I started to learn how to make them myself. I didn’t do too well in the start, but ma and Grammie helped me out, and soon I became an expert on them. Grammie even shared some of her secret recipes with me, and lemme tell ya, Grammie doesn’t share her recipes with just anybody. You gotta be in the know with bakin’ to earn her recipes, and she knew I was ready for em” Gideon proudly uttered.
“Yeah, I know how it is. Grandma Hopps took her recipes to the grave” Judy responded with grave seriousness. “Mom wasn’t too happy, and she still sometimes goes looking for grandma’s mythical recipe book.”
“Well, soon enough I apprenticed at a bakery, to learn baking proper and become qualified. It was plenty rough, but I stood firm Judy Hopps. I stood firm and became a qualified baker, but I wasn’t happy workin’ for someone else. It wasn’t that they were a jerk or nothin’, but I felt somethin’ was missin’ as just a worker. So, after talkin’ with my folks, they helped loan me some money so I could start my own bakery. It was slow goin’, and I, I almost gave up, but eventually business picked up and my bakery became successful enough that I could start hirin’ other folks. I even have my own apprentice workin’ for me now. He’s a good kid, and he works hard, just like I did” Gideon exposited, his soft smile slowly returning to his face.
“So, were people scared to come to your bakery, given your… “reputation”?”
“Oh sure as sugar they were, which is why my grand opening was also my apology openin’. I offered special deals on people I was mean and hurtful to growin’ up, and let’s just say there were a lot of specials goin’ that day. Sadly, I didn’t see Travis nowheres, which is why I sent a pie to his house, with an apology card. I told him I didn’t expect him to forgive me for bein’ a jerk, but he can at least have a pie on me anyways. And the next day… well, the next day, as I was openin’ up, there was Travis standin’ there, waitin’ for me and holdin’ the card. We didn’t say nothin’, and when we did, we kept talkin’ over each other. When we could finally speak, he told me he accepted my apology, and we just talked for a while until I had to go make some deliveries. It made my day to know we could be friends again, even though it’s real awkward between us. But better awkward than bad blood at least” Gideon concluded. “Heh,” he chuckled, “I realize I didn’t need to tell you all that stuff, but I, I, I, I, I just want you to know where I’m comin’ from when I say I’m sorry Judy, as you were the last person I needed to apologise the most too.”
Judy was silent, a look of unyielding sympathy swelling in her eyes as she fought back the desire to squee like Clawhauser. So instead, she placed a hand on Gideon’s paw, the fox looking at it with surprise. “I’m glad you did Gideon. I know you said it was hard apologizing to people, but to know the full story, well, it amazes me how far you’ve come. You’re a brave person, far braver than most people I’ve ever seen” Judy sincerely decreed.
Gideon chuckled bashfully, his paw slipping out from under Judy’s as he scratched at a sudden itch appearing on the back of his head. “Well, I dunno if I’m braver than folks like your fellow police officers Judy” he giddily rebuked.
“Trust me, what you did made you far braver than a cop armed with tranquilizers chasing after a criminal. You had nothing but pies and other baked goods at your disposal, and you managed to win a fight some would deem impossible. I say that’s pretty dang brave” Judy chuckled as she slipped from the log. Stretching, she smiled warmly at Gideon. “Thank you for telling me all of this Gideon, but I should probably get going. We’re not far from my paren’t farm are we?”
“About fifteen minutes by car” Gideon informed her.
“Hmm, so it’ll be a bit of a walk, but I need a jog anyways” Judy muttered as she did some squats.
“I could just drive you back” the fox offered.
“Nah, I spent the last few hours on a train, so I need to stretch my legs a little. Gotta keep in peak physical condition for when I get back” Judy politely declined.
“Oh, well, if you’re sure” the fox nodded despondently. “Oh!”
Without warning the rabbit had managed to sneak a hug with his portly side. “Thank you for spending time with me Gideon” Judy gratefully whispered. “I’ll come visit your bakery some time” she added as she walked off.
Gideon watched her go, a content smile on his face. It was funny, but she was both the same and different from when she was young. She was still driven and determined, and yet, seemed much more practical and less of a dreamer. But then, why would you be a dreamer when you’ve achieved your dreams? The fox chuckled to himself as he stared off into the sunset, the feeling of Judy’s warm hug still in his side. “HEY GIDEON!?” a shrill voice called out.
“YEAH JUDY?!” Gideon shouted back.
“I KNOW THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A TOUCHING MOMENT AND ALL, BUT, UHH, HOW DO I GET BACK?!”
“TURN RIGHT AT THE BIG TREE AND THEN GO UNDER THE BRANCHES, THEN FOLLOW THE PATH!” Gideon explained.
“THANK YOU!”
After earning a lot of vacation hours, Judy Hopps is now taking a two week long vacation back to her hometown. And when she gets there, a surprising person is there waiting for her on the platform.
.:Rated general:.Zootopia & all related material are © Disney (they own you) and Pixar Animation.
Word Count: 4812
If you enjoyed the story, feel free to comment and fave, I'd really appreciate it.The Courtship of Gideon Grey Part 1
Oh oh oh oh
Try everything
Oh oh oh oh
Try everything
Oh oh oh oh
Try everything
Oh oh oh ohJudy Hopps sighed contentedly, scenery whizzing by from her view on the observation deck of the train that was taking her home; her first home. Despite her complaints, despite her insistences, despite barricading herself in a supply closet, Chief Bogo had forced her into this. She… was taking a vacation. After having racked up so many hours throughout the year, she had to be manhandled into taking it. “I understand your tenacity Officer Hopps, but the fact is is that even a cop needs to take a vacation every so often, and you have earned this more than anyone here. Take a vacation, that’s an order” Bogo had declared. (Not in those exact words mind. I mean this IS Chief Bogo we’re talking about.)
Of course, she was forbidden from taking a vacation in her apartment, as the Chief was observant enough to know that she’d be on the case the very second she heard trouble. So she was told to pick somewhere far away from Zootopia, and to not return for two weeks. This is why she was now headed for Bunnyburrow. Nick had said that he’d fight the good fight while she was away, and the rabbit had found it so sweet that he’d lie like that for her. Still, it would be good to see the family again in much greater spirits, after running off so abruptly last time. At least they got the truck back in one piece.
Oh oh oh oh
Try everything
Oh oh oh oh
Try everything
Oh oh oh oh
Try everything
Oh oh oh ohThe rest of the journey passed in no time, and soon the on-leave officer stepped off the train, suitcase in hand as she was greeted by her parents and, much to her rather perplexed surprise, Gideon Grey. “Judy!” her mother squealed happily, practically skipping forward to hug her daughter.
“Mom, it’s great to see you” Judy happily smiled, especially once her father placed a friendly paw on your shoulder.
“How’s Zootopia’s finest doing?” he proudly asked of her.
“I’m doing great, although I’ll be glad once this vacation so I can get back to work” Judy replied as her mother released her. “Not that I don’t like spending time with you guys, I’m just eager to get back to work as soon as possible” she added as her curious eyes focused on Gideon.
“Ah, h-hey there Judy” the fox stammered nervously, now finally having a moment to speak.
“Gideon, uhh, hey, what are you doing here?” Judy inquired quizzically.
“We asked him to come along” her father answered, grinning proudly in the face of his daughter’s perturbed look. “We-well, yeah, we asked him to come round. After all, you’re on vacation, you don’t wanna be hanging around a farm doing chores. So, when Gideon here was popping by to drop off some pies, well we got a little selfish and asked if he wouldn’t mind showing you around today.”
Judy looked to her father, and then to the rather nervous looking red fox. “You guys sure? I mean there’s always carrots that need farming” Judy pointed out.
“Oh don’t you worry about that, just leave the farming to your folks and enjoy yourself city slicker” her father awkwardly joked, somehow managing to steal Judy’s suitcase away from her and rushing off with Bonnie in tow, leaving Gideon and Judy alone.
“What just happened?” Judy thought to herself.
“You know, I, I, I, I’ve seen Mister H move a lot, but never as quick as that. He must have some serious farmin’ to do” Gideon awkwardly joked.
“Okay, let’s be real now Gideon, why are you here exactly?” Judy demanded.
The plump fox swallowed nervously, his lips flapping uselessly before the baleful deduction of Zootopia’s finest. “We-well, I, I, I, just uhh, you see, Mister H umm” he stammered.
“Gideon…” Judy said slowly and forcefully.
The fox stopped his stutter, and could not hide his guilty look. “Well, a-after seein’ you last time, I, I, I did wanna catch up with ya, see how you was doin’. You left so quickly last time I, I, I, I, I thought you was possessed by somethin’. So when Mister H mentioned you were comin’ in today, I, I, I, I felt like I might get that chance. With the Carrot’s Fair comin’ up soon I, I’m spendin’ so much time preparin’ in my bakery. So I, I figured I wouldn’t see ya much unless I, I, I was the one who tried. I, I asked your father to say it was his idea, since I, I, I didn’t want to be too forward as it might make me look like a creep” he meekly explained.
Judy rapidly blinked for a moment, and she just smiled. “Heh, that’s really sweet of you Gideon. I was actually planning on catching up with everyone, so at least now I’ll have a guide to tell me what’s been happening recently” she chuckled to herself.
“Well, my van’s parked nearby, so we can talk on the drive” the fox smiled, showing Judy the way.
“You know, I realize I didn’t get the chance to say it before, but I am really impressed with where you’ve ended up” Judy said appraisingly as she hiked herself into the passenger seat.
“Well thank you kindly Judy, and I, I will say the same to you. Do you know everybody in Bunnyburrow talks about how amazin’ it is that you realized your dream of becomin’ a police officer in that big ol’ city? And that you cracked the biggest case ever? We all couldn’t stop talkin’ about it for weeks” Gideon remarked as he started up his van.
“R-really? It was that big of a deal?” Judy smiled, a light blush on her face.
“Yes indeedy Judy. You shoulda heard your father, goin’ round sayin’ “My daughter is a real cop” and “She solved a case none of them city folks could figure out”. He is right proud of you Judy Hopps” Gideon smiled warmly.
Judy chuckled giddily, though it sounded a bit more like wheezing than sincere laughter. “W-well, I’m glad I helped make a difference here. It was really amazing that my parents agreed to partner with you” the rabbit declared.
“Aw shoot Judy, I was surprised when they asked me to. After we talked over some pie, we both saw the benefits of it. Do you know I’m one of the top pastry chefs in the tri-burrow area?” Gideon boasted proudly.
“My parents told me about it when I saw you last time” Judy replied.
“That was real nice of them. Your family provides such good produce, and my bakery works wonders with them. I, I also give them a few pies to sell, and always a few carrot pies on Sunday. Our businesses have done well since we partnered up, and it’s all thanks to you Judy. You helped make this little burrow a much better place” the fox sincerely declared.
Judy was silent, her mind processing that statement, and its intent. “Thank you Gideon. That, really means a lot to me” is what she finally decided to say.
“That’s okay Judy” Gideon said, his smile slowly waning. An unfortunate question was sitting at the front of his mind, and his conscience was starting to weigh down on his brow. “Uhh, Judy, this is a bit of an awkward question, but I, I, I, I just gotta ask: You remember back ways when, to that fair where you did that little play of yours?” he began nervously.
Judy connected the dots exceedingly fast, and she didn’t like the look of the picture being made. “Yes?” she grimaced with full knowledge of where this was going.
“We-well, after I, I, I, I, did, what I… did to you…. It uhh, weren’t permanent, was it?” Gideon nervously asked.
Aaaaannnnnd he went there. Judy exhaled sharply through her nostrils, and she mentally counted to three. “Gideon, that moment was a real turning point for me, you know that? The little bully you used to be, the one who scratched my cheek and told me I was just a dumb bunny? He only served to make me try harder. The mark might have gone away after a while, but the effects it had were permanent. If I can give that little bully one bit of credit, it’s that he was right, I didn’t know when to quit, and I still don’t. I suppose, if you want feel better about it, you helped to make me what I am today by scarring my face and reminding me to never give up” she said slowly, methodically, and most importantly, sympathetically.
Gideon heaved a sigh of relief, a relieved look on his chubby face. “That makes me feel a lot better, but I, I, I, I really am sorry about it anyhow. It was wrong of me to use violence like that, and I, I, I am so very sorry Judy” he apologized.
“You said sorry twice” Judy pointed out with a slight giggle.
“I just wanted to be doubly sorry” Gideon replied with a weak little smile.
“It must have been hard, apologizing to not just but everyone else you hurt.”
Gideon paused, his breath trapped in his chest as his soft and gentle eyes seemed to be replaying a million memories at once. His mouth moved slowly, trying to form words despite the sour feeling in his jaw. “Well shoot Judy, it’s never easy to apologize to somebody you hurt” he responded rather reasonably.
“I know you’ll never forgive me, and I don’t blame you, I wouldn’t forgive me either…”“You know what Gideon,” Judy murmured as that memory played on, “you’re absolutely right” she uttered as they drove into town.
It was great catching up with everyone, such as Judy’s aunt and uncle, and of course her one-hundred and ninety-eight cousins. (“We’ll be trying for two-hundred, don’t you worry bout that!”) Everyone was so eager to speak to her as well. Well, not so much speak as gush relentlessly. While she had been celebrated a fair bit in Zootopia, just, hearing all these folks act like fans really hit close to home. An apt analogy, all things considered. She actually spent several minutes just signing autographs for some of the youngsters, and all the while Gideon just stood silently and smiling while trying to make himself as unnoticeable as possible. By the time the crowd had dispersed a few hours had passed, and Judy was emotionally exhausted. Thankfully Gideon was there to help her up as they continued walking. “I told you you was pretty popular round here” the fox grinned like a Cheshire Cat.
“I just didn’t realize how much. I mean the city made a pretty big deal about it, and I took it well. But, it’s just so much more personal back here” Judy admitted lethargically. “I mean, I know so many of the people who came to see me, and, well, it’s really, uhh-”
“Strange?”
“Yeah, strange to see them all acting like a bunch of fans. It, well, made me feel like I was better than them” Judy whispered in a small and surprised voice.
Gideon cocked a brow at that suggestion. “Do ya feel better than us Judy?” he inquired with a weighty tone.
“No, of course not. I would never think I’m better than anyone here. I would never forget where I am came from Gideon” Judy replied seriously.
The fox smiled genteelly, his face slowly cracking into a sly smirk. “I know that Judy, I was only needlin’ ya” he playfully teased.
“You jerk” Judy laughed, elbowing Gideon roughly in his portly side.
“Oof! Hey now, that wasn’t very nice” the fox remarked with a slight blush.
“Neither was teasing me” Judy expertly countered.
“You’re right, I, I, I, I’m sorry Judy” Gideon sincerely apologized.
“Gideon, you don’t need to keep on apologizing y’know? We’re friends, we can tease each other from time to time so long as it’s not too mean” Judy explained.
“I, I, I, I know that Judy, I’m not a simpleton. I, I just try not to overstep my boundaries too much, just in case I, I, I might say somethin’ that could hurt somebody” Gideon reproachfully huffed.
He wore such a dour look after that, it actually made Judy feel a little gloomy too. Maybe that was just the power of foxes, since she tended to share moods with Nick from time to time. “Thank you for the consideration Gideon. It’s nice that you worry about other people’s feelings like that. Some people don’t even bother about that sort of thing, like my friend Nick” she explained.
“Nick?” Gideon remarked with a curious brow cocked.
“Yeah, he’s my fellow officer back in Zootopia. Used to be a con-artist, but now he’s the ZPD’s first ever fox recruit. I guess you aren’t the only fox that can change, huh Gideon?” Judy answered with a small smile.
“Yes indeed Miss Judy Hopps. So uh, what’s he like?” Gideon conversationally inquired.
“Nick is, well, how should I put it? He’s sly, condescending, sarcastic, greedy, and a bit of a jerk” Judy answered truthfully. Gideon gave the rabbit a funny look, his mind trying to piece together how in the Sam Hill Judy could even like the guy. “He’s also a wonderful and loyal friend who would stick his neck out for you, even if he didn’t have to. He would also pretend to bite your neck if it would help take down a megalomaniacal sheep. I don’t think there’s anyone I could possibly trust to be by my side more than him” Judy added with a sly look to Gideon.
“Oh, I, I, I, I, I see” he fox quibbled with a concerned look on his face as he tried to figure out what the dickens a ten dollar word like “megalomaniacal” meant.
“Something wrong Gideon?” the rabbit inquired, having caught onto the change in Gideon’s tone.
“Oh, no Judy, I’m just thinkin’ about what ya said. It’s nice that you trust foxes enough to work with one, after, well, I can’t have given ya a good impression of our kind” Gideon shamefully admitted.
“I’ll admit, a part of me was wary, which is why I did keep that fox repellent on me, although my parents forcing it on me might have played a part. But then the incident sixteen years ago might have also caused that precaution. But I did want to believe in Nick, although I was a real jerk to him” Judy sighed despondently.
“But you made up, so everythin’s all good right?” Gideon pressed.
“Yeah, we made up after I sorta, humiliated myself for him, on tape. “It’s called a hustle sweetheart. Boom”” Judy mimicked jokingly.
“A hustle?” the fox questioned curiously.
“Yeah, I won’t go into it, but the point is Gideon is that I believe in Nick, and I believe in you as well” Judy smiled warmly.
Gideon chuckled bashfully, his left hand rubbing his arm with pride. “Well thank you kindly Judy, that really means the world and the moon to me” he smiled back earnestly.
The two shared a look, before the chiming of a clock signified that it was now five o’clock. “Oh, it’s five already? Where does the time go?” the rabbit chuckled to herself.
“Yeah, it is” the fox responded with monotony. His eyes were transfixed on the clock, and he knew it was now or never. “Say Judy?” he began nervously.
“Yeah Gideon?”
“I, I, I, I, I was wonderin’ if you’d like to come with me. There’s somethin’ I, I’d like to show ya, if you don’t need to get back to the farm right away” the fox explained anxiously.
Rubbing her chin, Judy did know she would have to go back to the farm, but her father did say that Gideon should show her around, so, why not? “I’d love to Gideon” she happily accepted.
“It’s only a short drive” Gideon explained as they walked back to his van.
“It’s not a creepy shed where you keep your victims before you turn them into pies is it?”
“What sort of fox do ya take me for Judy? Obviously I, I, I, I would keep them in a barn.”
“HA!”
Gideon’s promise held true, as it was only a five minute drive through a field to a secluded brush area. Judy had once heard rumours as a child about the woods being haunted or something like that, but her parents forbade her from going there after she insisted she would go and arrest the ghosts for squatting. The track they were following seemed well-used, and Gideon traced it like the back of his hand. Going under a branch and round a tree, Judy gasped loudly at what she saw. The trail had led a small hill, which gave a wonderful view of outlying farmlands, and, most importantly, the visage of the sun slowly setting on he horizen. “Ain’t it pretty?” Gideon grinned as he led Judy over to a log to sit on.
“It really is something alright” Judy chuckled as she sat down.
Gideon sighed loudly as he parked his rump on the log, and he smiled at the rabbit’s look of awe. That was always the reaction of whoever came out this way to watch the sunset, but it was a sight the fox had seen a million times. So instead he kept a subtle gaze on Judy as she enjoyed the sunset instead. Although, he couldn’t help imagine a much trimmer and far better looking fox by her side. “So, you said you worked with that Nick guy right? Are you two just friends, or is there somethin’ else?” Gideon questioned anxiously.
Judy snorted loudly before breaking out into a laughing fit. “Nick, and me? HA! I like the guy a lot, and would do anything for him, but I can assure you we have zero romantic interest in each other. It just wouldn’t work between us” she explained with great mirth.
Gideon nodded thoughtfully, and then asked “Not just because he’s a fox?”
“Him being a fox has nothing to do with it. We’re just friends, and I think that’s how we both want to keep it” Judy resolutely confirmed.
Gideon nodded again; so, she wasn’t interested in Nick huh? Hmm…. Casting another look to the rabbit, the fox spied her hand free and exposed. It would be so easy just to slide it on over to her, inch by inch it would creep, until it nudged into hers. “Oh!” Judy gasped, her hand retracting from the fox.
“Oh, sorry Judy, guess I, I, I, I slid a little too far huh?” Gideon chuckled nervously.
“Yeah, I’ll… I’ll bet” Judy grimaced as she kept her hands firm in her lap. Clearing her throat awkwardly, she kept a stern gaze on the setting sun, but she kept the nervous fox square in her peripheral vision. “So how did you find this place?” she asked, just to distract herself.
“Oh, well Travis, you remember Travis right? Well, me and Travis went explorin’ round here when we were younger because our parents told us not too. As you know we had no real respect for rules, so we went on in this forest, and came across this here hill. We were little hellions for sure, but even then we knew the value of a good sunset when we saw it. So we pulled up a fallen log, this very log we’re sittin’ on, and just sat and watched. Well, we got a hidin’ when we got back, but it was worth it. We made this place our spot, and came here a lot o’times” the misty-eyed fox explained, a small and content smile on his face.
“Do you talk with Travis much these days?” Judy inquired.
There were an unsubtle look of guilt on Gideon’s face, his fond look slowly sinking into the miserable pout of guilt and regret. “We talk from time to time, but he’s a builder now, so we don’t spend much time with each other no more. Maybe that’s for the best, after what I did” Gideon guiltily admitted.
“If you don’t want to talk about it-”
“It’s fine Judy, I, I, I, I’ve made peace with it and him now. You see Judy, I was a jerk when I was just a kid, but I ended up growing up into an even bigger jerk in my adolescence. Me and Travis started causin’ hell wherever we went, and we didn’t have a care in the world. But everythin’ started goin’ downhill after I started datin’ this cute fox from a nearby burrow. I really liked her, but I kept being my jerk self, and it did not sit well with her. The last straw was right here, where yer sittin’” Gideon explained.
Judy gave a look of concern at the log beneath her, and she suddenly felt very dirty indeed. “So what happened?”
“She said she was fed up with me, and she dumped me. Well, I, I, I can tell you I didn’t take it well, and I took my anger out on everyone. And Travis… he got the worst from me. I was so mad I hurt him bad. After I cooled down, I tried to apologise to him, but he didn’t want any of it. I hurt him real bad Judy, and our friendship was over” Gideon sighed miserably.
“So is that why you started going to therapy?” Judy inquired with intrigue.
The fox yelped with surprise, his dumpy body rocking backwards as he fell off the log. “H-how did you know about that?” he asked with immense shock.
“Well, when you apologised to me the first time you were a lot more articulate than usual. I could only guess you heard it from a therapist of some kind” Judy deduced as Gideon picked himself back up on the log.
“I, I, I, I see. Well, my parents felt it was for the best for me to see someone after I started breakin’ plates. I, I, I resisted at first, but once the therapist started explainin’ stuff to me, it all started to make sense. I followed his advice, and slowly worked out my issues in a healthy way. I became a lot calmer and much nicer, but Travis still didn’t want nothin’ to do with me, which I, I knew I deserved. But I still felt plenty guilty, and was pretty miserable, instead of just angry. So, I, I, I found ways to deal with it” Gideon continued.
“Such as baking?” Judy guessed.
“That is uncanny Judy Hopps” the fox marvelled at Judy’s ability to spot the obvious.
“It’s a gift” the rabbit modestly shrugged.
“It sure is, no wonder the ZPD wants to keep ya, but you are right. Mama’s pies always made me feel better, so I started to learn how to make them myself. I didn’t do too well in the start, but ma and Grammie helped me out, and soon I became an expert on them. Grammie even shared some of her secret recipes with me, and lemme tell ya, Grammie doesn’t share her recipes with just anybody. You gotta be in the know with bakin’ to earn her recipes, and she knew I was ready for em” Gideon proudly uttered.
“Yeah, I know how it is. Grandma Hopps took her recipes to the grave” Judy responded with grave seriousness. “Mom wasn’t too happy, and she still sometimes goes looking for grandma’s mythical recipe book.”
“Well, soon enough I apprenticed at a bakery, to learn baking proper and become qualified. It was plenty rough, but I stood firm Judy Hopps. I stood firm and became a qualified baker, but I wasn’t happy workin’ for someone else. It wasn’t that they were a jerk or nothin’, but I felt somethin’ was missin’ as just a worker. So, after talkin’ with my folks, they helped loan me some money so I could start my own bakery. It was slow goin’, and I, I almost gave up, but eventually business picked up and my bakery became successful enough that I could start hirin’ other folks. I even have my own apprentice workin’ for me now. He’s a good kid, and he works hard, just like I did” Gideon exposited, his soft smile slowly returning to his face.
“So, were people scared to come to your bakery, given your… “reputation”?”
“Oh sure as sugar they were, which is why my grand opening was also my apology openin’. I offered special deals on people I was mean and hurtful to growin’ up, and let’s just say there were a lot of specials goin’ that day. Sadly, I didn’t see Travis nowheres, which is why I sent a pie to his house, with an apology card. I told him I didn’t expect him to forgive me for bein’ a jerk, but he can at least have a pie on me anyways. And the next day… well, the next day, as I was openin’ up, there was Travis standin’ there, waitin’ for me and holdin’ the card. We didn’t say nothin’, and when we did, we kept talkin’ over each other. When we could finally speak, he told me he accepted my apology, and we just talked for a while until I had to go make some deliveries. It made my day to know we could be friends again, even though it’s real awkward between us. But better awkward than bad blood at least” Gideon concluded. “Heh,” he chuckled, “I realize I didn’t need to tell you all that stuff, but I, I, I, I, I just want you to know where I’m comin’ from when I say I’m sorry Judy, as you were the last person I needed to apologise the most too.”
Judy was silent, a look of unyielding sympathy swelling in her eyes as she fought back the desire to squee like Clawhauser. So instead, she placed a hand on Gideon’s paw, the fox looking at it with surprise. “I’m glad you did Gideon. I know you said it was hard apologizing to people, but to know the full story, well, it amazes me how far you’ve come. You’re a brave person, far braver than most people I’ve ever seen” Judy sincerely decreed.
Gideon chuckled bashfully, his paw slipping out from under Judy’s as he scratched at a sudden itch appearing on the back of his head. “Well, I dunno if I’m braver than folks like your fellow police officers Judy” he giddily rebuked.
“Trust me, what you did made you far braver than a cop armed with tranquilizers chasing after a criminal. You had nothing but pies and other baked goods at your disposal, and you managed to win a fight some would deem impossible. I say that’s pretty dang brave” Judy chuckled as she slipped from the log. Stretching, she smiled warmly at Gideon. “Thank you for telling me all of this Gideon, but I should probably get going. We’re not far from my paren’t farm are we?”
“About fifteen minutes by car” Gideon informed her.
“Hmm, so it’ll be a bit of a walk, but I need a jog anyways” Judy muttered as she did some squats.
“I could just drive you back” the fox offered.
“Nah, I spent the last few hours on a train, so I need to stretch my legs a little. Gotta keep in peak physical condition for when I get back” Judy politely declined.
“Oh, well, if you’re sure” the fox nodded despondently. “Oh!”
Without warning the rabbit had managed to sneak a hug with his portly side. “Thank you for spending time with me Gideon” Judy gratefully whispered. “I’ll come visit your bakery some time” she added as she walked off.
Gideon watched her go, a content smile on his face. It was funny, but she was both the same and different from when she was young. She was still driven and determined, and yet, seemed much more practical and less of a dreamer. But then, why would you be a dreamer when you’ve achieved your dreams? The fox chuckled to himself as he stared off into the sunset, the feeling of Judy’s warm hug still in his side. “HEY GIDEON!?” a shrill voice called out.
“YEAH JUDY?!” Gideon shouted back.
“I KNOW THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A TOUCHING MOMENT AND ALL, BUT, UHH, HOW DO I GET BACK?!”
“TURN RIGHT AT THE BIG TREE AND THEN GO UNDER THE BRANCHES, THEN FOLLOW THE PATH!” Gideon explained.
“THANK YOU!”
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