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Chapter Twenty-Eight: The Dawn of a New Day

"Welcome to ZNN's afternoon edition." Peter Moosebridge sat at the news desk, the same Nick had always seen. "I'm Peter Moosbridge, let's get started with our top story." The moose straightened his tie.

"It's been six month's since the "Zootopia's Last Night" terrorist plot was successfully foiled by the ZPD with the help of Dawn Bellwether. Today the newly re-elected Mayor Adele Snow has finally addressed the growing issue of Night Howler possession and sale with a plan to slowly phase in a strict and careful monitoring program as well as a research and development initiative spearheaded by the ZPD. While not out and out banning the flower from the city shores, Snow addressed the importance perfecting the technology to combat the deadly toxin with speed and efficiency."

The television cut to previously recorded footage of Snow's press conference. She stood at her podium next to none other than Chief Bogo and her Assistant Mayor Elton Hart as cameras flashed wildly.

"Night Howler is here." The snow leopard stated bluntly. "And it's never going away." She placed her fist in her palm decisively. " If we try to crack down on it the way we cracked down on fire arms in the seventies we will have to suffer years of shockwaves as society adjusts to the change. The illicit market will develop newer and deadlier ways to utilize it and will outpace our own efforts to combat it." The crowd began to murmur.

"When firearms were banned, it took us years to get tranquilizer technology to the level it is today. Its speed and efficiency making it the only choice for the City's law enforcement outside of emergency situations. But during the years of the ban the technology was new, and poorly developed. The ZPD struggled as illicit gun crime skyrocketed, left in danger with weapons ill equipped to properly fight criminals at the time. Many innocent civilians and officers died over those rocky first years as technology struggled to catch up to necessity. The ban hadn't stopped criminals from using firearms, only weakened our own ability to fight them."

More murmurs came from the crowd, peppered with a few cries of dismissal.

"With this initiative, we are trying to avoid that same ripple effect. By allocating funds aside for the research and development of specific night howler combatants and preventive weaponry for the ZPD, we are putting the power in those sworn to protect us, without empowering those who seek to destroy us." Snow cleared her throat as the cameras continued to flash.

"Over the next five years, we will be re-opening Cliff Side Asylum as Zootopia's new toxic research facility. There our best scientist's will be working to create fast acting cures for night howler similar to tranquilizer darts, as well as smoke form and other combative technologies. In this way we are hoping any future night howler attacks can be quickly and safely dealt with."

The flashes continued as the Mayor cleared her throat again. " With research unhampered, and night howler remaining legal we can hope to more easily monitor it's purchase and sale. We also believe this will slow attempts at progress by rogue groups on further weaponizing the toxin."

The Mayor glanced over at Bogo briefly before turning back to the audience.

"We have to vigilant, we can no longer go on pretending night howler doesn't exist. We can only hope to learn how to better fight it, and better protect Zootopia." The Mayor straightened her tie. "Thank you."

Nick took a sip of his blueberry cub soda as the news report continued, letting out a pleasurable sigh.

Moosebridge was back on screen. "When further pressed for details, the Mayor added that the eighty some odd backers to the Aster Bellwether conspiracy plot was her 'startling wake up call' at just how serious the night howler issue was." Moosebridge cleared his throat. "I think that's a sentiment most of us can agree with."

"Amen to that." Nick raised his bottle before taking another swig.

"Now we'll be turning it over to Fabienne Growley, who is gracing us with an exclusive interview with singing sensation 'Gazelle'. Apparently the pop Diva is set to drop a bombshell on us, is that right Fabienne?" The moose shifted, turning his glance off screen.

"That's right Peter." The screen had now cut to the familiar snow leopard. She was sitting in a red armchair in a somewhat homey looking studio set. There was a glass table next to her, but the camera was zoomed as to prevent the full table from being seen. "I'm personally hoping it's a new album." Growley laughed. "But I suppose I'll have to wait and see."

As Growley leaned on the glass table, the shot widened revealing the famous Gazelle sitting across from her. Her head was leaning on her hooves as she watched Growley, and her multi-bangled gold dress practically blinded Nick as the set lighting caused it to gleam brightly at the camera.

"So Gazelle." The newscaster's voice was pleasant, but Nick could hear the hint of high pitched alto that came with fan adoration exuding from the leopard. "What brings you to our studio today?" The cat leaned in expectantly.

Gazelle laughed lightly, waiving a hoof playfully. "Well it is true I am working on a new album." She nodded. "But it is not what brings me here today Fabienne, no, no."

The lithe gazelle reached into her lap before lifting a hardcover book up onto the glass table. She held it vertically, her hooves bracing the bottom so the audience could better see the face. The cover featured a hand drawn depiction of an ancient wolf stalking a sheep. The title of the book had strange wisps and serifs that made it hard to read even under the high-definition camera. Nick scratched his chin as he squinted to inspect it.

"I want to talk about this book." The Gazelle laughed.

"Oh, the Dawn Bellwether book." Growely nodded.

"Yes, 'Predator Seeking Prey.'" The Gazelle nodded.

Suddenly she flipped the book around, turning the cover upside down, at least it seemed that way at first. Nick noticed that now the drawing seemed to take on a different implication from the new angle. Now the Sheep appeared to be stalking the wolf.

'Or 'Prey Seeking Predator.' Depending on how you read it mija." The antelope chuckled.

Now Nick could make sense of the wispy font choice. Depending on the way the novel was sitting the text could be read differently, presenting a different title in either direction. It was a textbook example of an ambigram.

"Hmm...clever..." Nick mused, leaning in toward the television with a bit more interest.

"Yes, if I'm not mistaken it was written by Bellwether but includes the transcribed accounts of her..." Growley's eyes glanced away from the camera uncomfortably. "mate..." She coughed. "Vernon Hunter."

"Yes, yes, so you have read it?" The gazelle chirped.

"W-well no, actually." The newscaster appeared even more uncomfortable than before. "But we've been covering the controversy since it's release last month."

Gazelle flicked a hoof playfully. "Well you should mija, everyone should read it." The antelope asserted, laying the book down gently on the table. "It's controversial because it is real, it is raw love. And every mammal in Zootopia should see it."

"Well, there are some mammals who would argue that Dawn's relationship as described in the book is...well.." The snow leopard looked down uncomfortably.

Gazelle seemed to lower her eyelids, staring at the cat dully.

"Un-natural?" She asked.

The leopard nodded. "And many mammals are still quite uncomfortable accepting...well...that sort of partnership."

"Mija, you are looking at this the wrong way." The gazelle placed her hoof on the newscaster's paw.

"W-what!?" Fabienne's stance seemed to straighten. "I-I never said I had a problem with it!" The Snow leopard sputtered.

"Look at you sweat." Nick chuckled. "Like she got caught with a 'Horned and Horny' magazine in her paws."

"This book is about true love mija, regardless of your teeth or pelt. Of childhood romance stifled by a society still stuck in the mindset of a primitive world." The antelope grasped the book again, holding it up as she continued. "Of overcoming fears for the sake of the one you love, even putting your life on the line." Gazelle smiled broadly. "I admire their bravery, to be so candid about it all." The antelope let out a sigh.

"When I was little, in my home country of Gutallama, my childhood was a lot like Dawn's. The strife between species is even worse there than in Zootopia, and my family was very against even speaking to predators." The antelope frowned.

"But I was always a rebel." She smirked. "I found the secret places, where predators and prey came together." The Gazelle leaned on her hoof, letting out a wistful sigh. "I would sneak out nights and join the others like me, and we would dance till dawn. Tigers and llamas, Pumas and Rams, all of us just living mija. Just having fun as kids do, we didn't care what we were. It was in those places I learned that I loved to sing, that I came into my own."

Her face grew pained. "But one day our secret place was caught in a sweep. My family had to come get me or I would have been arrested for such open displays of harmony among species." She shook her head. "Whatever the corrupt police could drum up to demonize simply being with the mammals you weren't supposed too."

"My parents punished me, locked me away from the outside world. The friends I had made at those places probably received much worse, and I worried for them every night." She sighed, her voice beginning to break.

"But one night, a tiger friend of mine came to me. Snuck up to my window. He told me he was running off to Zootopia to become a dancer." She smiled broadly. "Armand told me that mammals could be free there, to be who they wanted and be friends with who they wanted." Her grin took on a look of nostalgic wonder.

"He wanted me to come with him, to flee Guatallama and allow my singing and dancing to shine in Zootopia."

"And the rest is history...?" Fabienne asked.

"I didn't look back." She laughed. "My family is still ashamed of me, but I had to be true to myself."

"S-so are you implying that you and Armand...?"

Gazelle placed a hoof against her muzzle, stifling a giggle. "Ay, no, no." She waived her other hoof. "Armand is still my best friend and my most skilled dancer. But he is with another one of my dancers. We were never like that."

"O-oh." Growley stuttered. "So then, you aren't a mammal personally affected by Dawn 'coming out' , so to speak."

The antelope chuckled.

"Dawn is doing another book." Gazelle stated. "In the spirit of the first one."

"You know this?" Growley asked.

"I talked to her directly." The gazelle pat the book on the table. "Her first book gave me the courage to come here today, to say what I'm gonna say. So I had to be a part of the sequel in any way I could." Gazelle grinned. "My next album is entirely inspired by it."

"Well...then what did you come here to say? Are you seeing another one of your dancers?" Fabienne asked.

Gazelle laughed uproariously. "No, no, why is it every mammal always goes right to my dancers?"

Fabienne blushed. "W-well I mean...look at them."

"Oh ho," Gazelle laughed. "Do you want one of their numbers mija? I know Martin has a thing for you."

The snow leopard nearly jumped out of her chair, a squeak dying in her throat as she covered it with a hard cough. Holding out a shaking paw she displayed her wedding ring.

"I-I'm flattered...really..." She stammered. "B-but married, yes married see!" Growley's tone was one not so much telling Gazelle that she was taken, but rather more of a mantra of faithfulness to herself, reminding herself she had a husband back at home.

"But..." Gazelle shook her head. "I am seeing a predator." She smiled. "I've been seeing him for two years now."

"T-two years!?" Growely said shocked. "How did you manage to keep it a secret for so long?"

"Mi Pequeño Amor, his job made it easy to cover up..." She sighed. "He did it for me, but I shouldn't have let it go on as long as it did."

"Mi Pequeño Amor?" Nick muttered, a fuzzy memory returning to him. "N-no...no way."

"I love him more than life itself, and Dawn's book made me realize that it was time to stop hiding it. How can you truly love a mammal if you willingly hide it?"

Gazelle placed the book back down. "So today, I'd like to introduce my long term boyfriend." The camera panned following Gazelle's rapidly extending hoof toward the entrance of the set, falling on nothing but a vacant doorway. After a moment a deep voice chirped up from off screen.

"Down here 'mam." The camera reeled down to the floor, revealing a very familiar small sand colored fox wearing massive sunglasses.

Nick spit his soda across the room, choking on the carbonation as it burned it's way down his windpipe. Nick gasped and hacked as the fox made his way over to the pop star. With her help, she raised him up and on to the glass table. Finnick took off his glasses before taking a seat on Dawn's book. He turned to Gazelle, giving her a gentle kiss before turning to face Growley.

"Yo, I'm Finnick." The fox chuckled. "I'm an officer with the ZPD, precinct two, and I'm Gab's mate."

Nick was pounding his chest as he struggled to eject the cola from his lungs.

"Nick!?" He could hear Judy's voice chime from down the hall. "Are you okay!?"

"F-Fi-Fi.." He rasped, the words unable to form. Within minutes the rabbit had joined him in the living room. Judy was wearing a pastel blue dress, and a black jacket with a Carrot cameo pin near the collar. Out of sight of the TV the rabbit began to tap her foot in clear aggravation.

"Have you been watching TV this whole time!?" Judy hissed.

Nick pointed at the screen, still hacking up bubbles.

Judy ignored his flailing.

"We're supposed to pick Dawn and Vernon up in twenty minutes. You know how hard I've been trying to set up the double date dinner thing for the last few months." Judy snapped.

"C-carrots..." Nick coughed, still pointing at the screen.

"With our case load, and now with Dawn's book signings it's been hell to set this up. Just get dressed already." The rabbit huffed.

"Finnick's dating Gazelle!" Nick finally choked out.

Judy finally looked at the screen.

"Nick, that's a commercial for solepads." The rabbit retorted.

Nick turned his attention back to the screen to see that the news had indeed went to a commercial break. The fox slapped a paw against his head.

"He was there! They were on the news!" Nick continued stabbing his paw at the screen.

"Just get dressed, we'll talk about it in the car okay?" The rabbit scoffed, turning to walk back down the hall.

Nick let out a defeated sigh. The fox finished his drink, stood up, and walked briskly after the rabbit. Nick dressed up in the only suit he had, a pressed dark green affair with a playful tie that matched his usual tropical shirt. It was the only way, in his mind, to give the drab outfit a bit of flair. There wasn't much talk as the two rushed to get on the road with Nick's shiny red hotrod, which Judy had taken upon herself to drive. Nick sometimes found it funny just how much more the bunny ended up driving his car than he did.

After explaining what he saw to Judy, and a few articles pulled up on the phone confirming what Nick had seen the rabbit seemed to be left in a state of silent shock. Nick in the meantime had taken to trying to call the fox and grill him about all the details, but it kept rolling over into the fennec's answering machine.

"Pick up, pick up, pick up." Nick muttered, making another what he presumed to be a failed attempt at contacting his friend.

"I still can't believe it." Judy said in surprise. "Finnick and Gazelle?" She stuttered.

"Clawhauser's going to be so devastated." Nick chuckled, still focusing on the rings.

"So will Bogo." Judy giggled.

Nick hung up the phone, letting out a defeated sigh. "Answering machine again. That little son of a..." Nick chuckled.

"How does that even work?" Judy muttered quietly.

"I don't know...how do Dawn and Vernon work?" Nick retorted.

Judy let out a chuckle. "What?"

"Think about it Carrots." Nick raised his paws to accentuate the point. "Vernon's what, three times the size of Dawn right?"

"Yeah, so?" Judy shrugged.

"So proportionately that's got to equal out downstairs right?" Nick laid his arm on the passenger side window.

"Nick!" Judy hissed.

"Look, all I'm saying is that either Vernon's packing a roll of pennies or he's stuffing Dawn like a holiday stocking."

"NICK!" Judy snorted, trying to hold back her laughter. "Don't be gross!"

"Vernon mating with Dawn has gotta look like he's wearing a wooly oven mitt." The fox leaned over and nudged Judy, grinning ear to ear.

"NICK! GROSS!" She cackled, clasping the driving wheel tightly. "I H-HAVE TO F-FOCUSON D-DRIVING!" The rabbit was in hysterics.

"What? It's just a valid question, what do you think it's like for them?" He chuckled.

"NICK I DON'T W-WAN'T TO P-PICTURE MY FRIENDS IN THE THROWS OF M-MATING!" Judy wheezed through her laughs.

"Oh can you even imagine their_'o'_ faces?" Nick grinned smugly." Vernon's is probably nightmarish."

"Nick..." Judy groaned. "Do you really want to imagine that?" She flashed him a smug expression. "You want to be looking for it in every expression they make from now on."

The fox shuddered as Judy's words hit home, his muzzle scrunching in disgust. "Good point." he chuckled.

"Besides, it's probably no different than us." The rabbit ginned slyly at him. "We're different sizes and we make it work."

"Now that's a face I want to imagine." Nick flashed a smug grin at the rabbit.

"Nick." Judy blushed slightly.

"Especially the way you bite your lip when you're just at the edge." Nick cooed. Hs ears flatting against his head as he savored the memory.

"NICK!" Judy's blush worsened as the fox continued his teasing.

"And the way you moan 'sweet cheese and crackers' when you are-"

"NICK!" Judy smacked the fox playfully. "STOP! WE'RE HERE!"

Nick turned his attention to the upcoming apartment complex. As they approached he could make out the familiar duo of Dawn and Vernon. They were sitting at one of the various patio tables strewn about the area. The wolf, dressed in a cable-knit green sweater and dress pants, sat on the bench. Dawn, was seated on the table itself, leaning against the wolf and holding his arm. She was dressed in a black mini skirt and jacket topped off with a frilly lavender cravat. Her infamous wool poof was styled, causing it to droop over one eye and she wore purple cats-eye glasses instead of her usual tortoise shell style lenses. The pair weren't alone however, already engrossed in a conversation with a few familiar and unfamiliar mammals.

Conversing with the wolf was Mr.Hornsly, the goat with the broken horn. Although oddly, it looked as though his splintered horn had miraculously healed. It was evenly balanced with the other, and just as large as it should have been. Next to him was the teenage vixen from the restaurant, leaning on her bike with a seemingly bored expression. She blew a large bubble with her gum as Judy pulled the car up to the curb, parking it across from the group.

As Nick made his way out of the car, he could better see the unknown mammal talking to Dawn. It was a beleaguered looking otter, with two pups in tow. His grey jumpsuit screamed maintenance mammal. His third pup was in the arms of the ewe, and Dawn seemed to be fretting over the little mammal as she talked.

As Nick lazily sauntered his way toward the pair, he finally began to catch some of the conversation the goat and wolf were having.

"-finally get to put my management degree to work at something I want to do!" Gus was exuberant, arms moving around in an attempt to emphasize his statements.

"I don't know Gus, managing a hobby shop probably doesn't require a degree." Vernon shook his head.

"Not just one, once it gets big we'll be franchising! It will be Zootopia's number one hobby stop!" Gus said emphatically. "My grandpa gave me the money from selling the Bug-Burga lot to start my own store, this is my shot to do something that isn't entirely soul crushing 'mam! I need your support in this!"

The wolf chuckled, shaking his head slightly. "You know I have your back Gus." Vernon smiled. "I believe you can do it." The wolf turned to acknowledge the approaching fox.

"Hey the big fella!" Nick smirked, stopping next to the mammals.

"Howdy lil' red." Vernon smirked.

Now closer to the goat, Nick could see the new horn was an obvious prosthetic. It's color slightly brighter and more shiny than Gus' real horn.

"Ah a falsie horn." Nick gently tapped it, causing the goat to recoil slightly. "You can barely tell." Nick felt an elbow jab him in the side.

"NICK!" Looking down, Judy had caught up to him. She stared daggers at the fox. "Don't talk about a goats horns." She muttered.

"N-No, no,.." Gus waived his hooves dismissively. "It's fine really. You're actually the first mammal to notice it was fake."

"Judy! Nick!" The fox turned to see Bellwether handing the pup she was holding back to the otter. "It's great to see you both." Seemingly saying goodbye to the otter, she turned her attention back to them.

"You too Puffs." Nick grinned.

"Dawn you look great!" Judy added.

The ewe beamed in response. "Oh thank you Judy!"

"So what's with the fake horn bud?" Nick turned his attention back to the wolf and goat.

"NICK!" He heard Judy bark, but continued to ignore the rabbit.

The goat scratched behind his head awkwardly. "After the last infestation I had I decided to bite the bullet and get my bad horn removed." The goat shrugged.

Nick nodded. "Good plan, must have been a hard call to make." Nick knew that a goat or rams horns were much like a foxes tail, the size and luster was a mark of virility. So the goat making a choice like that must have been a blow to his ego.

"Yeah, it was hard. But at least I don't have to worry about bugs anymore." The billy shrugged.

Raising a hoof the goat pointed to his false horn. "This is just a temporary until they send me a proper replacement. The doctor is making a prosthetic that looks exactly like my other horn, but it isn't done yet."

Nick smiled. "Well I'm happy for you Mr. Hornsly. For that and your new business venture."

Vernon chuckled. "That being said Gus, don't expect me to be pulling any shifts for you anytime soon. I've got enough on my plate at city hall."

"Don't worry!" Gus motioned over to the bored vixen leaning on her motorcycle. "I'll have Val at the very least, she has a rather nasty habit of making herself un-employable by most other mammals standards."

The vixen rolled her eyes." Pft...I'm just looking forward to making fun of more nerds." She blew another bubble, allowing it to pop to punctuate the end of her sentence.

Nick eyed the fiery red motorcycle, it looked almost exactly the same as the one Vernon had trashed months ago.

"That new?" He asked.

"Naw." The vixen grinned. "I had to get this out of the scrapyard after old sheep for brains trashed it." Val cocked her head at the wolf.

Vernon squirmed uncomfortably in response to the vixen's glare. The wolf raised his paws defensively. "H-hey I did offer to pay for a new one." The wolf stammered. "Y-you're the one who wanted to refurbish the one I ruined."

The Vixen leaned over her handle bars, giving the group a proud grin. "I wasn't letting my baby go out like that. They don't even make 'em like this anymore! You think I was gonna settle for some modern bamboo burner?"

Vernon looked at Nick nervously. "To be fair, I did at least pay for parts."

Nick chuckled.

"Well, we should get going shouldn't we?" The fox turned his attention back to Dawn who had previously been prattling away with Judy. The ewe held up a cell phone toward the wolf. The face read five-fifteen.

"We've got another fifteen minutes to get to the restaurant." The ewe concluded, hopping off the table.

"Just as well." Gus added. "Val and me are remodeling the new store to get it ready for the grand opening." The billy made his way over to the vixen, and did his best to clamber onto the back of her bike.

"Have fun Sheepdog!" Gus teased at the wolf.

"Yeah, yeah..." The wolf chuckled as he rose from his seat.

Nick watched as the goat seemed to brace himself against the teenage fox, his eyes screaming with uncertainty and terror. Val grinned smugly back at the fearful goat.

"T-try not to speed this time...okay? I don't want to have a f-fainting episode and fall off." Gus said timidly.

Val eyed Nick, flashing him a smirk. "You on duty?"

Nick shook his head. Val's smirk expanded to a full mischievous grin as she turned back to the poor old billy.

"No promises." Val gave the engine a hard rev. The vixen toddled her bike over to the edge of the street, and with a final wave her motorcycle let out a booming snarl as it zipped off down the street. Nick could hear Gus' shriek as it faded into the background noise of the city before disappearing entirely.

"C'mon Nick!" The fox turned to see the assembled party were more than half way back to the car, his date waiving him over. "Let's get going!"

The fox shrugged before making his stroll back to the red hot sports car.

Dawn seated herself comfortably in the back seat next to Vernon as they waited for Nick to get in the car. It didn't take long for her to feel the familiar grip of the wolf's arm cloak around her shoulder. She nestled in closer to him, letting out a contented sigh.

She watched Nick slide into the driver's seat. Before starting the car he turned to face the pair.

"Seatbelts you two, it's the law." The fox chuckled.

Dawn stifled a laugh, but did as she was told. Once the fox was seemingly satisfied he turned back to the wheel. With a growl the engine came alive, and in short order Nick had pulled out into the road and began the drive to their destination.

It didn't take long for Judy to pick up the discussion where they left off. The rabbit turned around quickly, excitement in her eyes.

"I still can't BELIEVE you spoke to Gazelle!" Judy chirped.

Dawn laughed. "Me neither. I wish I were a bigger fan though." The ewe's smile faltered slightly.

"You don't like her music?" Judy looked concerned, seemingly almost hurt by the idea that a mammal didn't like Gazelle.

"Honestly..." Dawn shook her head. "I used to hate her music." Dawn flicked her hooves to emphasize the point. "I've always been more of a 'Beagles' or _'Suri Nicks'_kind of lamb."

The rabbit looked shocked, and her ears seemed to deflate. "Suri Nicks?"

Dawn traded the rabbit her own confused stare. "Fleetwood Yak? She was the Llama lead singer in the band."

"OH." Judy nodded. "Oh I see." Judy's demeanor still oozed with disappointment, and Dawn was quick to get back on track.

"Anyway, I thought Gazelle's music was just the same meaningless manufactured pop fluff that she didn't even write, and it was all fake." Dawn sighed. "But after talking to her, it's clear how passionate she is about her music and writing." The ewe smiled, which seemed to perk the rabbit up.

"I may not be super into her music. But I'm honored my book touched and inspired her." The ewe adjusted her glasses. "And I'll admit I have developed a new appreciation for her song 'Try everything'.

Dawn glanced up at Vernon, and the wolf gave her a soft smile.

"I feel like my life has become kind of a reflection of that song." Dawn chuckled. Turning back to Judy she could see the rabbit was smiling.

"Oh! And she's really sweet!" Dawn added.

"I thought she was!" Judy responded, her face beaming with joy. Dawn sighed mentally, glad she had managed to diffuse the situation.

"So what's this about writing a sequel book?" Nick piped up. The fox didn't even turn, his eyes still on the road.

Dawn looked up at Vernon, tapping her hooves together nervously. Vernon simply smiled, giving her a slight nudge with the arm he had draped around her. The ewe gave him a meek smile before looking back at Judy.

"W-Weeell..." Dawn drew the word out. "I was thinking about doing a compendium of the personal experiences of other interspecies couples." Dawn bit her lip, she was certain that at any moment they would catch on.

"It's actually what I spoke to Gazelle about in length. I'm advising a bit on her album inspired by our book, and she's supplying a personal account of her relationship." The ewe smiled weakly, continuing to tap her hooves together.

"But....well....we are looking for more stories..." Dawn looked down worriedly. "Not every mammal is willing to risk the possible social fallout that comes with admitting you're dating a mammal that was either once food to your species, or once ate your species."

Dawn looked back up at Judy. The rabbit had confusion plastered all over her face. Dawn was about to continue when Nick cut in.

"And I'm guessing you want us in this one huh?" Again he didn't turn.

Judy looked back at Nick still confused before snapping back to face Dawn. Judy's eyes went wide, and her ears stood pointedly.

"Wait...us?" Judy stuttered.

Dawn simply nodded.

"So this is why you finally have some free time to do the double date thing, you're buttering us up huh?" Nick chuckled.

"Oh no, no! Of course not!" Dawn pleaded, waiving her hooves defensively. "We've been dying to see you both. Really!" Dawn looked up at Vernon, twisting her hooves nervously.

"Yep, we missed that wit of yours Nick." Vernon laughed.

"Vernon!" Dawn swatted a hoof at the wolf. Turning back to Judy she wrung her hooves together worryingly.

"Y-you don't have to." She stammered. "I just thought, m-maybe you'd like to b-be part of it."

Judy glanced back at her partner, and for the first time the ewe saw the fox turn slightly. He flashed an odd glance at the rabbit, one she couldn't quite read. Slowly Judy turned back to the ewe, her face seemingly stymied.

"I-I don't know Dawn..." Judy sighed. "Give us some time. I-It's hard, you know? With our jobs and everyth-"

"I understand completely." Dawn smiled weakly.

"I mean our friends at the station are fine with it. But if the public found out...they...I mean." The rabbit stuttered.

"They already have their suspicions." Nick interjected, his eyes still locked on the road ahead. "But until we get caught kissing in public there is reasonable doubt."

"What Nick means to say is..." The rabbit fidgeted uneasily. "If it was widely known, the public might push for us to be...well..." The rabbit bit her lip. "let go."

"So from our side this just looks like two best friends meeting a couple, for our own safety." Nick stated.

"I-I'm sorry Dawn, maybe in time we ca-"

"Take all the time you need Judy." Dawn reassured, keeping her weak smile up. It was disappointing, but not wholly unexpected to the ewe. "It'll be a while before I finish this one anyway."

The car fell somewhat silent after that, remaining that way until they arrived at the familiar restaurant. Vernon walked around to open the door for the ewe, helping her off onto the curb. Dawn adjusted her skirt, looking up at Vernon for reassurance. The wolf rolled his eyes.

"You look beautiful Darlin'. Don't fret." The wolf gave her a gentle pat on her head.

"Say, you guys going to get your own car or is picking you up going to become a thing?" Nick sidled up next to the pair, passing his keys off to the ferret valet waiting by the door. Nick eyed the rodent warily for a brief moment. "No scratches, no joyrides." The fox hissed before returning to his usual smug demeanor. "All that book money has gotta buy you some fancy stuff."

Dawn shook her head. "It's not that much, really. It's not a best seller."

"I have a feeling that's about to change considering who's endorsing you." Nick snarked.

"Dawn can't drive either, and I only have a moped license that is now out of date." The wolf shrugged." And I haven't really had time to go to the DMV. I don't have a month's worth of free time to waste there." Vernon chuckled.

"I might know a guy who can help you out." The fox grinned, but Dawn sensed a mischievousness in his tone.

"Can we go in already?" Judy was now standing next to them, her paws rubbing her forearms. "It's getting chilly out here."

Nick waived his paw ahead of him, leading the rabbit forward. As Judy marched toward the door the fox shot the pair a glance before dutifully following the doe.

Dawn giggled as she watched the pair disappear into the entryway of the 'Grazer's Grill'. The pair may have been apprehensive about wearing it on their sleeves, but the two really were an adorable couple.

"Ahem, madam?" Dawn turned to see Vernon had leaned down, extending his paw out to the ewe. Dawn gingerly took it into her hoof, grinning broadly back up at the wolf.

"Such a gentlemam." Dawn chuckled.

"I'd like to think so ma'am." The wolf grinned back.

Dawn took a last look up at the 'Grazer's Green' sign, it's neon green hue beaming brightly against the night sky. In that moment she found herself slightly in awe of everything that had happened leading up to this moment. All the misery, all the mistakes, all the mammals she had hurt, the friends she had lost. She could still remember what it felt like to be truly hated, and to deserve it. Less than a year ago she had been ready to give up on trying to live at all.

But thanks to a few mammals who truly cared she was able to pull through it, to change things for the better. She thought back to Polaraski, the kind bear who gave her a chance when no one else would. Who had went out of his way to protect her despite how little she deserved it. Nick, who despite the lamb's past actions still gave the ewe a fair and critical eye when it came to studying her case. Even when things looked it's darkest, the fox withheld his judgment when blaming Dawn would have been the easiest thing to do.

Judy, who despite absolutely hating her at the time, still saved her life when she needed it. Who would go on to apologize and admit her fault when it came to the bias undermining her better judgment. To her love Vernon, who even before remembering who she was reached out to help her. Who had fallen in love with her despite her species as well as her crimes. The wolf had given her a new lease on her life, and something to live for. If it hadn't been for them, for all of them, she wouldn't be here now, Zootopia wouldn't be here now.

"everyone deserves a second chance, especially if they are trying." Dawn remembered the words Vernon had uttered to her before pulling away on his Vixspa.

She had been given her second chance, and she was making the most of it. She may never fully think she deserved it, but she was more than happy with how it turned out. Dawn looked back at the wolf with adoring eyes. Vernon cocked his eyebrow in confusion.

"You okay Floofs?" He asked.

Dawn pet the wolf's paw gently, still staring deeply into Vernon's eyes.

"I love you." She smiled.

A smile crawled across the wolf's face.

"I love you too Darlin'." The wolf replied.

And with that, the two strolled into the entrance of the restaurant.