Chapter fifteen - Loss

Nick had his eyes fixed on the road. He needed to focus on driving because of the speed they were going, barely on the speed limit to avoid any problems. They had a valid reason and they were cops, but explaining all that would take minutes they couldn't afford if they were stopped by other officers on patrol.

So, he drove as fast as he could, not looking at the macaque by his side at the passenger's seat. He didn't need to. Mark had not said a word since the fox and Judy had picked up the two brothers, and he could still he was sure that the current speed was way too slow for him.

And he understood why.

After the initial shock in the lobby when both macaques ran out of the precint, Judy and Nick followed them. Once outside, the fox shouted them to get to his car, as they seemed very determined to run across the entire city if needed. Once inside and they were underway, he began questioning.

• Where to? Did the ambulance take her?

• Yes, she is already there.- Replied Nathan from the back seat, out of breath by the sudden race. Nick nodded and changed to the right carriageway to go there.

• What happened? Is it her illness?- Asked Judy by his side, looking worried at both brothers.

• I don't know, I just heard Shana through Mark's phone yell to come to the hospital immediately. How do you know mom's illness?- Questioned confused the older monkey.

• I overheard it a while ago and Mark told me. Nick figured it out on his own.

Nathan became silent for a moment while looking at the back of Mark's head, who hadn't confirmed or denied it.

The rest of the travel went in silence until they arrived at the hospital and Nick stopped in front of the main doors.

• I'll park the car, you go check on Suzie.

The others climbed quickly out of the car and ran inside the building, the automated double doors opening just fast enough for Mark to enter at full speed. Passing by the information counter, a female voice called for them from the waiting room. A very tired and distressed looking Shana stood up from her seat and joined the group.

• She is being treated right now. I'm waiting for someone to tell me how is it going.- She said before any of them asked, her eyes a little red.- Where were you? I tried calling you a thousand times!

• We had the raid today, no prior notice.- Answered Nathan.- Had to turn off the phones. We tried to call you before that but you didn't answer.

• I left my phone charging up while I was out. I saw the call when I went back to pick it up after this happened. We were coming back home after I met her outside the library when she became dizzy and couldn't breathe. I asked someone around to call 911 and the ambulance brought her here. I've been waiting since.

Nathan stepped forward and hugged his sister, visibly calming her oncoming breakdown. Judy had met her not for very long, but the female macaque appeared to be just as Mark had described her: strong, determined and clear-headed. Right now, however, she was a mess just as the bunny would expect from anyone else in her position.

• It's ok, sis. It's ok. She will pull through.

Mark sat in a nearby chair, resting his face in his hands for a few seconds before standing up again and starting walking around the room. Judy approached him and placed a hand on his arm, pausing his pacing for a moment.

• She may still get out of this, Mark. You have to believe...

• I know, Judy.- Interrupted Mark, not looking at his friend.- She can still get out of this one. But also, this may be the one that takes her away, and I am scared of that.

• Hey, it's ok to be scared, remember?- Said the bunny, reminding him the same thing he had told her not many hours ago.- And whatever happens, we are right here.

The macaque looked at her, his eyes filled with worry and fear for his mother, and gave her a weak smile. It obviously didn't take away his fears, but being reminded of that helped a bit.

• Hey! How is she?- Both mammals turned to see Nick arrive to where they were standing, apparently having parked the car at the farthest spot of the parking lot by how fast he was breathing.

• We don't know yet. They are still treating her.

The fox nodded in understanding and gave the monkey a supporting squeeze on the shoulder before going to check on Shana and Nathan, soon followed by the other two.

...

After what seemed hours, the doors opened and a male zebra in green scrubs stepped out, looking at the people in the waiting room.- Rhesus' family?

• Yes!- The three macaques approached the doctor while Judy and Nick stayed a couple of steps behind, internally hoping for good news.

Which were crushed by the doctor's expression.

• I'm sorry, there is nothing we can do. We managed to get her stable for now, but it will not be for long. It is indeed a small miracle that she managed to live up in the condition she was. She should have been hospitalized before.

• Wait, what do you mean?- Asked Nathan, as confused as the rest of them.- We know my mother was ill and couldn't be treated for that, but up till this morning she was fine!

Now it was the doctor that looked confusion.- All I can say is that, in the last two or three weeks of this sickness, she should have had chest pain and respiratory difficulties.

Shana covered her mouth with her hands in disbelief while Nathan supported her with one arm around her small frame. Mark just stood there in shock, eyes and mouth agape. Judy's reaction was very similar to Shana's. None of them had seen anything at all, not even Suzie's own kids! Especially Mark, the one most worried about her mother, couldn't believe she had been able to hide that from him.

• How long?- Asked the older sibling, his voice sounding affected but still keeping his composure.

• A couple of hours. She is being moved right now to a room so you can stay with her. She'll come out of the anesthesia in a moment.

The doctor gave them the room number, offered his condolences and came back inside the restricted area. The macaques lingered for a few seconds, in an attempt to digest the news and started walking away, wanting to get to the indicated room and see their mother, followed close behind by their friends. Nick thought they shouldn't be there, that it was too private, but Judy was determined to go with them. Also, he too wanted to support his friend and partner.

Once they found the door to the room, the siblings seemed terrified of going inside, like what was on the other side was their worst night mare, which was probably true.

Finally, it was Nathan the one to open the door and come inside first. The rest followed him, including the fox and bunny, the last one had to suppress a gasp at the sight in front of her.

Suzie was on the bed, eyes closed, her mouth covered by an oxygen mask and several IV on a pole connected to her right arm. From her chest, several cables were connected to the common vital signs monitor, painstakingly reminding them of the situation if they managed to ignore the sight on the bed.

Shana and Nathan went to the left side of the bed while Mark stood by the right side and they took Suzie's hands, the three of them looking at their mother with love and sorrow, still incapable of accepting the truth, not wanting to let her go and still hoping for some miracle to happen that would let her stay with them, even if just for a little longer. After all the time of preparing themselves for that moment, knowing it was inevitable, they were still not ready. Having to suddenly face it was too hard.

Some minutes passed and Suzie started opening her eyes, attracting everyone's attention.

• Hey, mom. How do you feel?- Asked softly Nathan, the only one of the three that seemed still capable of saying two words without breaking down. It took a moment for the old macaque to focus her eyes on her son, but when she did a weak smile appeared on her face behind the mask. Her lips moved, but no sound could be heard.- Shh, it's ok, mom. Don't try to speak. Just rest.

Suzie's eyes traveled across the room, seeing her daughter, Mark at her right and Judy and Nick close to the door. Her smile widened visibly and moved her hand towards them, inviting the couple to come closer. The bunny took Mark's place and grabbed the female's hand into her paw.- Hi, Suzie.

A little squeeze on her paw told Judy that Suzie was glad to see her. It was very hard for her to see all the vitality, all the strength the macaque had been showing everybody, disappear in the few hours since that very morning. It was almost like seeing a very different mammal.

• Judy.- The fox behind her spoke in a low volume to her ear.- Let's give them some privacy. They need time alone with her. We'll stay around.

The bunny nodded, understanding the reasons Nick gave her, and turned again to Suzie.- We are going for a walk. We'll come later to check on you.

Shana and Nathan smiled at them in appreciation while she let go of the macaque's hand and went for the door with Nick. But Mark's voice stopped them.

• Judy.

The bunny turned and saw her partner looking his mother's hand, trying to reach for her and a wanting look in her eyes. Judy looked at the other macaques in the room, who were as surprised as her, and came closer again to the female. Suzie's hand, however, beckoned this time to Nick, still at the door. Visibly dumbfounded, the fox walked the few steps separating the door from the bed and reached for the offered hand. Suzie took it along with Judy's and Mark's into hers and in the other she did the same with Nathan's and Shana's. Then, she seemed to relax, as if everything was ok now.

"I want you here with me", seemed to be the message she wanted to convey them, making all present to smile a bit. Judy looked at Nick, who nodded in agreement.

• Ok, we will stay here.

Hearing Judy's words, Suzie smiled again and closed her eyes, as if those few minutes had drained all her energy. Nick and Judy stepped a little away to let space to mark to be by his mother while they simply looked at the scene in front of them: the three sibling's entire attention and thoughts directed to their mother, sharing a pain that was eating them from the inside. Shana was sobbing with her brother's arm around her for comfort. The big macaque tried his best to stay firm, but his eyes seemed about to give up too. Mark, on the other side of the bed, was crying, not caring for anything but his mother, who was about to leave them forever. He didn't seem to notice how his friends placed a paw each on his arm and shoulder, telling him without words "we are here".

Time passed and tears dried out a little, knowing that soon there would be a greater need for them. Suzie had not opened her eyes again, the drugs dulling not only her pain but also her energy to stay awake. He breathing became more shallow as the clock and the monitor marked the pass of time. The five mammals stayed with her.

Until the sound of the monitor gradually spaced more its beeps. A little more... A little more...

Finally, the machine made the last sound, the most dreaded one: the beep that never stops until it is turned off...

...

...

• Hopps!

The bunny turned to the source of the voice and saw Chief Bogo walking towards her.- Good evening, Sir. I was just going to your office.

• Good timing then. Come.- Said the buffalo, leading the way into a corridor where the door to his personal office was. Once inside, he gestured to the bunny to sit on the chair in front of his desk, still too big for the bunny to actually follow the sitting part and still be visible for her boss.- So, what is it?

• I wanted to hand you my report on the raid case. I'm sorry it took this long.

• Don't worry about it, Hopps. Circumstances are not the appropriate ones, and you are only one day late.- Assured the big mammal. While he normally never smiled, at least according to the legend roaming the precint, his voice was soft enough for Judy to feel out of danger.- I am more concerned with Wilde's, if he ever finishes his.

• He is about to, I made sure of that. He should be calling your door before the day is over.

• Good to know. I have so many things to do about this case that I don't want to also go around asking for them.

• How is the investigation going so far?- Asked Judy. After they risked their lives on that building three days ago, to know if it had helped at all was something everyone wanted.

• Better than expected, actually. Only five of the detainees were members of this criminal group we wanted to shut down. The rest were two different groups that were buying weapons from them. And that is only from the abandoned building site you raided. The other hideouts provided a lot of evidence and key members that we are using to get to the core of their respective groups.

• That is great news!- Exclaimed the bunny excitedly.

• Indeed. You and the other SWAT and field officers did a very good job. I expect the same in future cases.- Added Bogo with an intense gaze to his subordinate.

• Yes, Sir.- Replied her, firmly.

A couple of seconds passed before the buffalo spoke again, this time his face changing to a more concerned expression.- Do you know something?

Judy lowered her head, understanding what her boss meant. The news about the passing of Mark's mother arrived at the precint the very next morning. She and Nick had gone there first thing in the morning to ask Bogo for a day free in order to attend to Suzie's funeral. On their way out, many friends and colleagues asked them where had they been the previous night and where was Mark. After explaining what had happened, many of them wanted to ask their chief for the same permission, but he denied their request except for a very reduced number of them.

• We can't have the whole precint attending a funeral! Who is going to keep the city safe then?

So, Judy, Nick, and two friends dressed in their formal uniform representing all their colleagues at the ZPD were the only ones paying their respects to the Rhesus family during that day. Of course, both Mark and Nathan received many messages and calls with the condolences from everyone back at the precint.

After the ceremony, once their colleagues left them, they went to the siblings' house. Mark, without saying a word, entered his room and never came out, not answering anyone's questions.

• He is still... unavailable, as far as I know, Sir.- Answered the bunny, her mind going back to the present.

• I see. I can give him a couple of days, it's common in this cases but, at some point, he has to come back to routine.

• I know, Sir. I just don't know what to do.

• It's not your job to do anything, Hopps. - Said the buffalo, suddenly more serious.- He has to want to come back by himself. An officer dragged out and forced to work while he is still mourning is no good to me or to anyone.

• Understood, Sir.- Replied the bunny, her voice somewhat lower. She didn't like to feel so useless, unable to help his friend. But Bogo was right, Mark had to choose to come out of his isolation by his own.

• Thank you for the report, you are dismissed.- Judy jumped down the chair and walked to the door, the voice of Bogo resonating again when she was about to close it behind her.- And make sure Wilde finishes his report before going home or there will be many parking duty shifts with his name on them!

...

The car stopped on an empty space in front of Judy's building, but she was so deep in thought she didn't noticed. Nick took this time to take a look at his partner, as he had been doing for the past two days.

She was very worried, and he knew it was about Mark. He was too, to be honest. After he had fixed things up with him after the shooting, the fox though of Mark as a close friend. He wanted to help the macaque as much as Judy, but he had no idea how to do so.

The same seemed to be happening with Judy, but it was affecting her more than the normally hyperactive bunny would admit. That was sending Nick signals he wasn't ready for. Was this much worry only a friend or...

Nick shook his head vigorously, pushing away such thoughts.

• "This is not the time for that, Wilde!"- He thought. Whatever the reason was, Judy had been quite off since the funeral service. With the absence of Mark, he and the bunny had gone back again to the two cops routine. Nick had to admit that, deep inside, it felt good to have Judy again all for himself, but not if the price for that was to see her so depressed.

He knew she was doing her best to be talkative with him and tried to focus on the job, but it was obvious where her mind was dwelling. And his was also there. It was not only Judy's mood what had changed the ambient, there was also a piece missing. His personal feeling for the macaque's intentions towards Judy aside, he was already part of their usual daily life. He was not as whimsical as the fox was, but still Nick missed him at work.

• Hey, Carrots. We're here.

Judy returned to reality, for a moment not knowing where they were until she noticed the car was still and recognized her building outside.

• Thank you, Nick. See you tomorrow?

• Wait a second, Judy. What's on your mind? You look very preoccupied.

She sighed, understanding that she had probably been too obvious about it.- It's Mark. I called last night and he wouldn't pick up his phone again. I talked to Shana and they haven't found a way to get him out of the room yet. I want to help him somehow, but I don't know what to do or what to say. And today I talked to Chief Bogo and he told me my job is not to do anything of the sort.

• He is right, it's not.- Agreed the fox, shocking the bunny.- You can't take as an obligation to help everyone with their problems, less of all so personal and private as this one is. Chances are you are gonna fail, or even make things worse, and you end up hurt.

• I know. I just feel so frustrated about all this!

• Let me finish, Judy.- Interrupted the fox.- You can't take this as an obligation, Bogo was right about it. But that doesn't mean you can't do something if you have an idea. Just don't push yourself into it. If you can't help, then let him work his way out. Call him, send him messages so he knows you are there for him. That is ok. But don't take helping him as your obligation. That is bad for you.

And just like that, Judy felt better. Of course, he was right about that. She was impulsive and wanted to help others if she could. Sometimes, she ended up chewing more than she could swallow. Wouldn't be the first time.

• Wise fox.- She said, looking at her friend with a grateful smile.

• Dumb bunny.- Replied him, happy to have helped, even if just a little.

Judy climbed down the car and, after waving goodbye to Nick, directed her steps towards the building. She had barely opened his apartment's door when her phone rang, and the tone indicated a call from her parents.

She threw her bag on the couch and sat on the free space left, pressing the accept call button and seeing her mother's face on the screen.

• Hi mom!

• Hello sweetheart! How are things going?

• More or less the same. Nick and I are working by ourselves again for now.

• Mark hasn't come out yet?- Asked the doe, concern showing on her face.

• No. I have called him a few times too, but so far nothing. Shana and Nathan see him sometimes when he goes to the bathroom, but refuses to talk. He is eating at least.

• Well, that is good.- Stu's voice came out seconds before his face appeared on the screen, joining his wife's from behind.- That is an important thing.

• Yes, it is.- Agreed Judy.- But until he gets out of that room, it will be difficult for anything to change. The only thing he can do in there is mourn for his mother.

• Then, why don't you bring him here for a few days?- Proposed the buck, surprising Judy. On the screen, Bonnie nodded in agreement.

• What would that accomplish? I'm sure he would normally love to visit the place, but right now...

• The problem right now is that he can't do another thing in there than to think about his mother, right?- Asked her father, only continuing when his daughter nodded.- Well, here there are plenty of distractions. We have rooms available in case he just wants to be alone, but just the chance of scenery should help.

• You are right, dad. But how do I convince him to come?

• That is up to you, Judes. Just tell him to try to clear his mind here. If he wants to be left alone, there are rooms and plenty of space for him to wander off. And if he wants some company, well, what better company than a couple dozen bunnies?- Finished the male with a proud smile, contagious enough to make Judy mirror him with her own smile.

• You know dad? That is a very good idea.