Dragonslayer85 : Thank you, I did my best !

SapperJoe85 : Yeah, I like him too. I think I underdevelopped him a little, but he was recycled from A Better Place, and was completely different there, so I don't really feel like I've betrayed him.

Guys, what's with the 85 at the end of both your nicknames ? Coincidence ?

Spawnetscape1 : I think Judy is pretty much considered an honorary fox around the Zootopian multiverse ^^.

Cemsay : Thanks :D

J Shute Norway : *Bows down* Thank you.

Guest : She completely wrecked that poor asshole. Once in a while, between torturing them, I like to give my characters a win.

Foxlover91 : Always feels good to put down a bigotted idiot. Hope you will like this chapter.

Epilogue - The Weight of the Years

"Carrots, I can't believe you did that." Said Nick, sitting on the grass. The whole department was there, sharing beers and snacks a few minutes after Oxley had left.

"Well, I did !" She smiled back before sipping at her beer can. She wasn't fond of the beverage, but she was slowly acquiring the taste. And she felt like she needed a bit of alcohol in her system.

"What gave you the idea ?" Asked Finnick, Joan's trunk resting on his lap, his paws occasionally stroking it.

The bunny grinned. "Joan told me Oxley was going to try and twist my words. I figured the best way to prevent that was getting him to talk. I also recalled something Nick told me a few days ago, that saying something that aligns with what the other wants to hear will sometimes be enough to fool them. As for the recording…" She blushed. Imitating her hero was a bit corny, but it had felt so good. And had saved their skins, which had been a nice bonus. "The way Nick, Finnick and Duke trapped Bellwether gave me the idea."

Nick gave a nod of approval. "That was quite the hustle. I wouldn't have done better."

"I'm sure you would have." She said, blushing even more at the compliment. "By the way, I didn't thank you properly." She said, turning toward Herbert. "So, thank you."

The bear had brought his can to his lips and stopped his movement. "You're welcome." He answered. "It was a pleasure."

"Anyway. It was real nice thing to do for us." Chimed Duke. "I mean, it could have been risky if he had caught you."

Judy shrugged. "That was the right thing to do. I couldn't let him destroy this for you all. I didn't really think about the risk."

Nick was giving her a peculiar look, she noticed it and answered with an interrogative one. He tossed his can in the trashbag near the door with a chuckle. "Carrots, we're going on a walk."

He used his cane to stand up and offered her his paw. She took it with a perplexed expression. "Where are we going ?"

The tod smirked. "You'll see when we get there."

"Eloping together that soon ?" Asked Joan.

"You're one to talk." Shot back her boss. "Tomorrow's a day off for everyone, but consider yourself on call in case of emergency." He started heading toward the door. "Carrots, why don't you wait for me near the blue north trail ? I won't be long."

...

True to his words, he didn't take long. When he reappeared, he was carrying two small bags and tossed her one. "Let's go. I'd like to arrive before dark." He said, starting to walk toward the trail.

"Is it that far ?"

"Four hour tops, but with this thing, you never now." He said, waving his cane. "Besides, It's been a long time since I went there."

Most of the road was spent in silence, the bunny taking in the sights of the forest. The sun was still high in the sky, but if the fox's time estimation was right, they'd arrive not too long before dark. Walking behind the tod, Judy took in the sight of the forest. She had never taken that trail before, and she enjoyed discovering it. Bunnyburrow was mostly grasslands and fields, and the few woods were scarce. The forest sights were particularly beautiful.

"Oxley was right, though. You did lie to a government employee." The fox stated out of the blue.

One of Judy's ears perked up in interested surprise. "I was careful. Every 'lie' was turned as a question."

"I know, I noticed. But, you know, technicalities… As a fox, I'm used of them being used against me, and me using them against others. It was a risk."

"Well, I was ready to take it."

Nick gave her a glance over his shoulder. "You could have lost everything. It could have been the end of your second chance. City hall could have overruled me, you could have faced jail time, I'm not sure you realise how-"

"Nick. I have a criminal law degree. I knew exactly what I was doing and what risks I was taking."

The tod almost tripped at that. He used his cane to keep himself steady and hid his stumble as a fit of cough.

"I'd never ask you to do something like that over… All this. We would have managed."

The bunny caught up to him in a couple of skips, but didn't stop him. "You could have. And I know you'd never ask anyone of us to take risks you could prevent us to. You're like that. This is your thing, your department, your responsibility. You want to bear all the weight alone."

The fox couldn't help but nod. It was his the only thing that was truly his. He could never ask anyone else to fight for it.

"It's because you'd never ask that I did it. Protecting all this… It was worth it. Even if it had failed, or if it ends up coming back to harm me, it would have been worth it." She smiled. "It's probably the remnants of my dream. Integrity, trust, bravery… Maybe in a way, I made it as an officer the same way you made it as scout ranger."

Nick took a couple of quick steps and found himself ahead again. She heard him swallow and put a paw to his face, but said nothing.

...

They barely spoke for the rest of hike. Judy was busy taking in the sight while Nick made doubly sure not to lose them. Finally, they ended out of the trail, on a slope that was steep enough to give the fox trouble. He never asked for help, and was grateful that she didn't propose, though he knew she was a step behind him, ready to catch him if he stumbled.

On the top of the bush covered hill they were climbing was a massive oak tree. It had scarce but strong branches, with fewer leaves than a tree this size should have. It still gave off an aura of sturdiness and wisdom.

"Beautiful, isn't she ?" Nick asked, short breathed.

"She is. Is that what you wanted to show me ?"

The fox shook his head and waved her to follow him.

"I showed it to everyone in the department. Of course, Joan couldn't climb it, but I think she was tall enough to enjoy it anyway."

They rounded the tree to find a part of its barked that had been dug with grips and holds. "Did you do that ?"

"No, they were there long before I discovered it, during one of my patrols. I got lost and needed a high point to find my way back. Ladies first."

She nimbly climbed up, happy to discover that despite the few extra pounds, she was still able to carry her own weight. Then she dropped him a rope to help him make his way up. Not that the stubborn fox used it.

They were standing on what could be described as a platform. The tree separated itself in three main branches, twisted in such a way that it offered enough room to sit or even lie down, especially for small mammals.

"Hey look." Nick said, pointing toward the south.

On the horizon, the lights of Zootopia could be seen, shining brightly in the orange sunset light. "Woah. That's… Really beautiful."

Nick smirked. "It's more beautiful from afar, trust me. From here, it's only a fantasy, a jewel. I like that I can forget its reality."

"You don't really like the city, do you ?"

The fox snorted. "It hated me, beat me up, took me down, and then I saved it. Then it kept hating me, beating me up and taking me down. The only good thing I got from it was a way out. No, I don't really like it." He pointed to the west. "Now look in that direction."

Judy looked.

The sun rays reflected on the forest crown, giving it a red hue. The leaves were moving in the breeze, making the light dance with them. Sparks of ruby and topaze made it look ablaze, breathtaking to both mammals.

"Now that, Carrots, is beautiful." He said, his eyes resting on her for a bit before turning to where he had been pointing.

"It is." She whispered.

He let the silence linger, not wanting to break the spell.

"I'll never be able to thank you enough for what you did today."

She turned toward him. His eyes were still on the horizon, the coral light on his fur erasing the few greying spots. He looked like he was burning, and the bunny felt something in her chest, unfamiliar but warm and soothing. "So… Thank you. I don't have the words to tell you how much it means to me."

"I told you I had your back. I couldn't let him tear apart your family."

Nick kept his gaze riveted on the horizon. He couldn't answer. Something was caught in his throat, and the many words he wanted to say couldn't escape his lips.

He knew the department wouldn't replace her real family, and he didn't want it to. But to him, whether she decided to remain here for good or not, she'd always have a place at their side. She was part of the pack now, he had let her in, and he was glad for it.

The bunny leant against the fox, resting her head against his right shoulder, while he a put a paw on hers.

As the sun started disappearing under the horizon, casting his last rays of light, they were filled with a similar feeling, that warmed their chest and filled them with hope.

The weight of the years had been lifted from their shoulders.

The End

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Sorry this story is really over, this wasn't a fake out.

I'd like to thank all of you for reading my story, and doubly so all the people that took the time to leave a review and a kind word. You filled my eternal need of validation.

Jk, it'll never be filled.

Oh, and if you have reviews/questions on this fic, and since I won't be able to answer any of them through the next chapter's note (since there won't be one), I'll answer through PM. Your messages aren't falling in the void.

On another matter, I'm already working on my next fic, by now it's already as long as this one, will probably be about twice longer (or even more, I'm still shit at estimating the length of my work before it's done).

In any case, stay tuned, more is coming in the future ! (Might be in a month, might be in a year...)