A/N: Here it is. The very last chapter of 'A Bunny CAN Go Savage.' Please, read through to the very end. Thank you.

Epilogue

30 years later...

With ears splayed out behind her and tracks of tears down her cheeks, Judy could not bring herself to look away from the bed to her right. Her husband, her mate, her fox...was gone. She wished she could say it was a surprise, but the reality was that it had been expected for quite some time. Though he had been getting up there in age, Nick had still been in peak physical health. Decades of police work had kept him trim and the workout regimen Judy had more or less forced upon him had greatly helped the tod to remain healthy. Unfortunately that had all changed two months prior.

Having developed a strong cough and a bit of difficulty breathing, he had taken several days to rest and get better knowing that, with foxes compromised immune systems, a mild cold could quickly become something worse. That something worse had developed almost overnight as the cough became harsher, the shallow breaths rattling with fluid building up in his lungs. A trip to the hospital, hoping to be mistaken and sent home with a script for cold medicine, their world had come crashing down when Sarah had come back with a grim face, delivering the news that Nick had pneumonia.

The news had been a blow to both of them. Only exceeded by cancer, pneumonia was the second biggest killer of foxes. Their immune system simply was not strong enough to fight off the disease, and the later it was caught the less likely that treatment would be able to help. For foxes reaching an older age, it usually was even more difficult to halt it's progression. Sarah had all but delivered a death sentence to her brother-in-law and the anguish she felt would keep her up for weeks.

Judy didn't fare any better. She had retained her composure through the rest of the appointment and even on the drive home. The minute they had crossed the threshold was when her walls fell, breaking down into an uncontrollable sob and sinking to her knees. Always the one to comfort his mate, Nick had picked her up and cradled her to his chest before carrying her upstairs and laying them both down, the bunny keeping her place on top of her fox. Nick had joked later that the amount of bunny tears soaking his shirt meant it would never be dry again.

The memory of the smirk that had come across his face, one she had grown to love so long ago, brought a soft smile to her own lips. She had known the news had bothered him greatly. It had been many, many years since he had been able to fool her. The twitch of his ears and the way his tail drooped just enough to betray his outward appearance gave him away. Yet he had out up a brave face every day since, unwilling to cause her anymore anguish than what she had already been going through. It had lasted until yesterday when he finally had drifted into a sleep he never woke up from. Her only comfort besides knowing that he was no longer in pain was that he had been able to have all of their children gathered around him to say goodbye. Their children who were now gathered around her.

"Mom?" Judy gave a small start at the sound, turning away from the form of her husband to view the paw suddenly gripping hers. White fur that gave way to black traveling up a long arm. She had always been amazed at how much like her father Trish looked. Her paws were even the same shape though much smaller. The only real difference that was noticeable were the long bunny ears that showed that the vixen was also hers.

"I'm okay, honey." Looking past her concerned face she gazed at her other children. Amelia and Fru, nearly identical save for the coloring of their paws and tips of their tails, were trying to be strong but couldn't help but let loose a few tears. Amelia had one paw in her sister's and another on the shoulder of a small kit with her tail wrapped around the tiny mammal. "Oh, Amelia. You brought Toby? Come here, sweetie." Amelia prodded her son who quickly ran and leapt up onto the bed, throwing himself into his grandmother's arms. "How are you my sweet little boy?"

"I'm doing good. I got all A's on my report card. Well one B. It was in gym." So like your grandfather, she thought amusingly. She tweaked the boy's nose before nuzzling him affectionately. "Hey! Grandma! Get off!" His protests turned into squeals of laughter when her paws found his belly, tickling him mercilessly. "Ahh! Hehehe! No no no! Ha ha! I'll behave!" Stopping to let the tiny kit catch his breath, Judy looked closely at her grandson. Roughly the size Judy was now, he was much like her mother, a shorter snout and slightly longer ears though his coloring was more like his father's, an arctic fox who worked in the accounts department at the ZPD. They had met during one of Amelia's lunches with her parents before they had retired a couple years later. She had been only twenty then, Judy remembered, her eyes misting over.

"Hey kiddo. I want you to do me a favor, okay?" The little boy nodded, listening intently as she used her 'super secret' voice she did whenever the two of them were about to do something fun that they weren't supposed to. Capturing his attention, Judy reached out with her paw and took a dollar from her purse nearby. "I want you to take that dollar from your pocket and go with your mom to buy the biggest cookie you can find in the cafeteria."

"But...I don't have a dollar in my pocket." Toby was many things, and not paying attention was one his mother told him often, but he never misplaced or forgot where his money was. His grandfather had taught him that when he was even smaller.

Judy adopted a look of surprise, her digit tapping against her chin. "Are you sure? Huh. My mistake. I thought I had used my special bunny magic to send it to you but maybe I missed. Your Auntie Trish may have gotten it by mistake." The boy looked at his aunt accusingly while she opened her eyes wide and made an effort to be extra dramatic as she patted her pockets. "Well, check yours Toby. Maybe I got it right after all."

Dubiously he patted his shirt pocket but finding nothing there he moved to his shorts. Suddenly his eyes lit up bright and he whipped out a slightly crumpled bill. "Wow! Can you teach me bunny magic, grandma?"

"I think your mom can when you're a bit older. Now, take your mother and run off to the cafeteria and you get the biggest one you can find." His smile reaching farther than she thought possible, he leapt from the bed and headed towards the door before stopping and looking back at his grandfather who still lay in his bed, his smile faltering a bit. Judy followed his gaze and then met his eyes with her own. "Oh don't you worry about your grandfather. You know he always likes to sleep in, the lazy old tod." Looking a bit happier, he grabbed the door handle and stepped out into the hall.

"Wait for me, Toby!" Slowly approaching the bed, Amelia leaned over to wrap her graceful arms around her mother. "I love you, mom."

"And I love you, sweetheart. Never forget that." Planting a kiss on her daughter's cheek, Judy pulled back to see eyes just like hers shining back. "Amy? Do me a favor, hon? Take him over to see your Auntie Amelia. She's been feeling a bit worse for the wear lately. Seeing Toby and yourself might do her some good."

"Of course I will, mom. Maybe Toby and her can do some karaoke. He found my old CD collection and has been singing her old songs non-stop." Smiling but with tears in her eyes, Amelia bent down and kissed her mother's cheek. "Goodbye...mom." Trying to stifle her tears, Amelia left the room to catch up to her son already halfway down the hall.

There was a choked sob coming from the end of the bed and Judy quickly gestured to her second child. Fru had always been the most emotional of their family, even more so than Judy herself. As the vixen clambered onto the bed, Judy wrapped her arms around her and held her tight. "There there, my little girl. I've got ya."

"Y-yeah. But for how long? I'm going to lose both of you. What am I going to do without you? No Sunday dinners before work the next day. No one to spend hours talking about books. No late night B-horror movie marathons." Judy reached up and smoothed the ruffled fur along Fru's muzzle.

"Oh darling. You don't need us to do all that. We shared that with you so you could share that with others. Your siblings, your friends...that nice wolf next door? Oh yes, we noticed," Judy giggled as Fru's head popped up. "I'm pretty sure all of us have noticed the way you look at him when we stop by and see the two of you talking. Your father..." Judy stopped to glance over at her fox who still looked as peaceful as he always did. Were it not for the fact he wasn't cuddling a pillow he really could be asleep. "Your father mentioned he got a smell from the last time we came over. Why not take a chance?"

"But mom. He's a wolf." Judy had to fight not to scoff, though that did not stop her son Benjamin from rolling his eyes or Trish snorting behind a paw.

"Fru. You are a hybrid between a fox and a bunny. Do you think we care that he's a wolf? In my eyes the world could do with more love that didn't care about species. Your brother is dating a lovely lady skunk." Benjamin, who had been silent most of the time, decided to speak up.

"Engaged actually." This time Judy's look of surprise was genuine as she turned towards the buck. "Yeah. After dad...yesterday? Umm...I realized things could change very quickly. So I took Christine to the park and proposed on the bridge over the pond. And, well, she said yes." Overjoyed to hear that her little boy was getting married, Judy stood from the bed and rushed to her son so she could hug him tight.

Though desperate to hug her brother herself, Fru quickly became concerned with her mother. "Mom, do you really think you should be hopping around like that? I mean don't they want you in the bed for a reason?"

Judy couldn't help but shake her head as she let go of Benjamin while Trish came in to hug her brother next. "Fru honey, I'm not infirm. I'm not sick or injured. I can move, I can hop, I could even do my old hop dance I used to do at Gazelle concerts. I just..." She turned to look at where her fox lay on the bed. "I just can't leave him. He's been too weak the last month to be able to mark me so I've needed to stay by his side. Now that he's...I umm...I have to stay close to be near his scent." It was hard for Judy to speak as new tears formed.

"Come here you two." Reaching out her arms to encircle both of her children, Fru bending down so she could return the hug, Judy held them tight. "Ben, I want you treat that girl right, you hear me?" Ben nodded, his own voice getting choked up. "And Fru, don't be afraid to take some chances. I know more than ever what can happen when you do, and you two are proof of the wonders a chance can become. I love you both so much."

"I love you too, mom."

"I love you. We all do."

Straightening up, she wiped a few more tears from her eyes. "Can you go find your Aunt Sarah and Auntie Trisha? I want to speak with them for a few minutes. And you can tell Lylah and Tammy they can come up now." Fru, unable to speak, simply nodded before stepping out. Ben was able to give her a small smile before he too left, the door shutting with a quiet click.

Turning to her last remaining child, Judy took in the black fur of her youngest yet largest offspring. "Trish. My little silver fox." Reaching out both paws, she took her daughter's in her own. "You're so much like your father. You have his spirit. His cocky smile. You even have his eyes." It was hard for her to look at them even. The emerald shade was an exact match for her mate's and it made it all the more difficult to say goodbye to another pair like those.

"I've got quite a bit of you in me too, mom." Bending down, Trish let her long rabbit ears flop over her face to bop her mother on the nose. It never ceased to amaze Judy that she had somehow inherited her father's form yet her ears rather than being like her brother and sisters.

Reaching up, she patted the badge hanging around her daughter's neck. "Yes, I can see that. Detective Wilde. I'm so proud of you. Both me and your father. So proud."

Though it seemed insensitive in the current mood, the silver fox couldn't help but chuckle and roll her eyes. "I know mom. You guys threw me a giant 'surprise' party last year."

"Yeah. Such a fun day that was. Although we never should have told your godfather. Benji never could keep a secret." Though retired for many years and rarely ever seen in the building, Clawhauser was still the eyes and ears of the main gossip around the ZPD somehow. Having him help with the part was a no-brainer and unfortunately 'no-brainer' is why they forgot he would spill the beans the moment he could. The two girls shared a giggle at the mention of the cheetah. All too soon though the mood shifted back to the grayness of reality.

"Mom. What's going to happen? I mean we know about the Bond. We've all known all our lives. But now that da-..." Words failed the fox for a moment before she swallowed the sudden lump in her throat. "With dad g-gone, what's going to happen with you? I don't want you to be going through so much pain."

Trying to fight back her own tears, Judy grasped her daughter's paw tightly. "It's okay, sweetie. Your father's scent is strong enough to let me say goodbye and then I'll be joining him. Your Aunt Sarah has come up with something that will put me into a deep sleep so I won't experience anything. I can just fade away quietly." The reality of her statement hit her just as hard as it had so many years ago when she first learned of the Bond and what would happen should she ever be separated from the mammal that become her friend, her partner, and her mate.

Her silent musings lasted only a moment before the crying face of her daughter brought her back. "I-I don't want to lose you, mom. Both you and d-dad? So soon? I just...I don't know what to do." The canine let her head drop while her ears fell down along her back. Tears that had trailed down her cheeks continued until they dripped silently onto the bedsheet.

Stretching out her paw, Judy lifted Trish's head until their eyes met. Her father's eyes. "Sweetie, you are an incredibly strong mammal. I have no doubt that you will take all of this and turn it into something that makes you even stronger." Judy leaned forward and pressed her head to her daughter's. "You are a true miracle baby. Don't let anyone tell you different or stop you from achieving whatever you want or do whatever you need to do."

Trish nodded emphatically, her tears not gone but slowing down enough that she didn't soak her mother's head when she nuzzled the gray bunny. So wrapped up in their emotional upheave neither even so much as flinched when a sudden knock came on the door. Instead, Trish pulled back to softly smile at her mother. "I'll let them have some time with you too. I love you mom."

"I love you too, sweetie." Bringing the silver fox's muzzle down, Judy rubbed her chin along the top, marking her for the last time.

"Mom!" Swiping her paw over her nuzzle, Trish tried to rub off the mark but to no avail. "I'm not a kit anymore," she whined. Succeeding in only making it worse by spreading the scent over her nose, she suddenly sneezed as the scent of her mother was absorbed. Judy couldn't help but giggle.

"You may not be nine anymore, but you're still my kit." They nuzzled against each other once more before Trish stood and wiped her tears clear as much as she could before another group began.

"Goodbye mom."

"Good bye sweetie." Letting go of her white furred paw, Judy watched with sadness concealed behind a soft smile as her last child left. It took everything she had to not break down into tears, wanting to be strong for her family. The last sight of the long fluffy tail slipping out the door didn't give her much chance to break down before her next group of visitors stepped through. A brown bunny with bright blue eyes and a bouncing step peaked her head around the corner.

"Hey cutie. Mind if we come in?" No matter how she was feeling, Trisha never failed to cheer her up just with her presence. They had been best friends for more than thirty years but the nickname 'cutie' still could bring a blush to her gray cheeks.

"Trisha, I'm fifty-five years old. I think I'm as far from 'cute' as possible, but yes. You guys can come in." Stepping through the door, the brown doe was soon followed by her sister Sarah, still in her lab coat as she had been on duty that day. However tenure was a wonderful thing as it let her assign her med students to someone else for the day. Behind her came two of her ZPD colleagues that had been been close friends with both Nick and herself. Lylah stepped in first, the tigress looking a little worse for the wear with a cast covering her whole arm. Her wife Tammy came in a few moments later, berating the striped feline for not keeping her arm steady.

"I don't have to stand there like a statue, Flower. Alright? The doctor said I could move my arm if I needed to." Tammy glared at the tigress with such ferocity Judy was surprised her old friend didn't ignite such as the old poem.

"As you need to. Joining in the physicians ping pong tournament downstairs isn't a need you-...you...dummy kitty!" Now chuckling in spite of the venom in her wife's words, Lylah leaned over and kissed the cheetah's cheek.

"I won, didn't I?" She laughed again as the spotted cat simply rolled her eyes before they both turned to see Judy looking at them both in amusement. "Hey Flopsy. How are you-" It was at that moment that it hit the three mammals that beside the gray bunny lay their friend. Unmoving yet so peaceful they all expected him to sit up and yell 'surprise' and that it was all a prank. But deep down they knew that they would never see that smug smirk on the vulpine's face again.

"Wow," was all Tammy could mutter. It was the only word any of them could. "So, it's really happening today then?"

'Yeah. Today is it. For both of us." While her words made both felines become a bit misty eyed, Trisha started bawling. "Hey, hey now. None of that." Spreading her arms wide she motioned for the brown bunny to climb up next to her. Though she stumbled for a moment, Trisha scrambled up onto the bed and fell into her friend's waiting arms.

"I-I don't want you to go. It's too soon. You weren't supposed to be gone yet!" There were murmurings of agreement from the other three mammals. None of them had imagined losing their friend so soon even though the threat of such a possibility had hung over their heads for decades.

"Oh honey, it's not so bad." Brushing the does ears that seemed to be permanently glued along her back, Judy planted a light kiss on her forehead. "I got to have thirty wonderful years with my fox. With great friends and family. Got to watch my kits grow up. I have no regrets, Trisha."

Even with the words spoken, Trisha still embraced her closest friend and wept openly. Sarah, unable to keep herself composed either, clambered up next to the two of them and hugged them both. Overcome with the emotion surrounding her and seeing the tears wept for her, Judy let her own fall freely. Tammy couldn't control herself either and swept up the three small bunnies into her arms and nuzzled them all. Lylah rolled her eyes at the show of emotion but quickly let out a squeak when her wife grabbed her paw and yanked her into the fold.

It wasn't long before the tears had run dry and the five fell apart. "I'm sorry Judy." The gray doe turned towards the old cheetah. "I really wish this hadn't happened. To either of you." She couldn't help but glance towards the bed where the fox lay. Neither of them deserved to leave so soon.

"It's okay, Tammy. I wouldn't trade my life for even thirty years more. It was wonderful and you all made it that way." She gave Tammy a smile which she returned, though a bit sadly. Together, the tigress and cheetah leaned in and hugged the bunny tight before standing straight and tall.

Putting a paw to their heads, they each saluted. "Ma'am."

Judy couldn't help but laugh. "Oh c'mon guys. I haven't been the Chief for nearly ten years." When they still didn't drop their arms, Judy sighed and stood herself, saluting the felines in return. "Officers." Turning smartly with the air of professionalism neither had exhibited in nearly a decade, both mammals left the room, though not without a glance back at their friend, a sense of sadness in their eyes.

Soon it was only her sister and her mate that remained. The two closest bunnies Judy had ever had in her life. The two she wanted by her side until the end. But they couldn't be there until the end. She needed to do that on her own. She had only these few moments left and the three soon cuddled up with each other. Words weren't needed, just the closeness of each other. It was the one thing Judy could never get enough of now that her children were grown.

They remained there until Sarah reluctantly pulled away. "It's time, sis." Trisha couldn't help but break down once more, burying her face into Judy's shoulder. Both Sarah and her soothed the brown doe until she was able to bring herself to crawl off the bed and stand beside her doe. Sarah reached over and placed a small pink pill into Judy's paw. "Here. This will make you sleep. No dreams. Just a quiet rest."

"Thank you, Sarah." Placing the pill in her mouth and taking the glass of water handed to her, Judy quickly swallowed, shuddering at the slightly chalky taste. "Couldn't you have made it taste better?"

"Beggars can't be choosy, Jude." Even at the very end the two couldn't help but tease each other. "It will take effect very shortly. We'll leave you to your sleep." Leaning in, she kissed her sister's cheek. "I love you, sis."

Trisha followed suit right after. "We both love you, cutie." With a soft kiss to the doe's forehead, she leaned back, tears glistening and falling freely. "Say hi to Nick for us." Judy gave them both a smile. Soft but very sincere. Grasping their paws, she stroked both of them.

"I love you both so much. Please, take care of each other." Letting them go and watching as they slowly left, Judy lay her head back onto the pillow just as the door snapped shut. Reaching out, she grasped the rail of the other bed and drew them together. Now she was within reach of her husband and her paw immediately intertwined with his. The contrast of russet and black, streaked with large amounts of silvery white streaks against her gray fur was a sight she had always loved seeing. Reaching up, she stroked his cheek, wanting to feel the coarseness that belied the overly soft fur beneath.

"I'll be with you soon my love." Her strength began to fade as her vision began to cloud. Eyelids became heavy and slid shut while her breathing slowed. As she drifted off to sleep, one thought flitted through her mind. One that brought one last smile to her lips.

And to think, none of this would ever have happened if a bunny couldn't go savage.

Fin

Post A/N: It has been one amazing journey. 300,000 views. More than 900 followers and 750 favorites. The amount of people reading my work has been astounding and the feedback has been incredible. I am shocked by how loved this story was and I hate that it needed to end. But every story eventually does, otherwise there's nowhere to put the back cover. And it is time for this story to be given one.

I hope the ending did not cause you too much suffering or heartbreak as it did for me to write it. One thing that I have kept to myself is that this ending was written long before the first word of the first chapter had been even a thought. It was always how it was meant to be.

Though I close the chapter on this story, I am not done writing. Not even close. I still have my current three stories 'Sweet Treatment', 'Fighting True Savagery', and the increasingly popular 'A Ghostly Love.' I will also be starting a sequel to my very first story 'Never Argue with a Bunny.' Look for it coming soon.

Thank you all for making this one hell of a ride and I love you for it.

-Fox