Beep beep beep beep! The alarm blares from the small end table next to the rickety bed in the small apartment. Judy opens her eyes, everything is a blur until her eyes adjust to the world around her. She sits up in her bed which lets out a creak as he does so. With a yawn and a stretch she is now full of energy and ready to start the day. She leaps out of bed, washes her face, puts on her uniform, and grabs her phone. Just as she grabs the phone it dings notifying a received message. Judy unlocks the phone and clicks the message.
"Good morning Carrots. Ready to make the world a better place?"
A warm smile comes to Judy's face. Nick has texted her good morning for the past week. It was always nice to wake up to a morning welcome. Ever since leaving the farm Judy has felt alone at her little sorry excuse of an apartment. She was used to having her parents and numerous siblings there when the morning came. She typed a reply before she left for the station.
"Good morning sly fox. Always ready."
Judy arrives at the station. ZPD cruisers lined the left side of the front of the building. To the right was the three wheeled joke-mobile she had to put up with her first few days. Judy recalled those starting days. How she felt alone and looked down on. Even Nick would act condescending to her. But eventually, Nick warmed up, and became the only one there who really believed in her.
"Hey there fluff. What's wrong? Didn't get your morning Carrot?"
Judy jumped, startled out of her daze. She whips around and sees Nick holding a coffee thermos in his right hand and his left hand placed in the pocket of his uniform pants. His fur was a mess and he wore his aviator sunglasses.
"You look like a bum."
"You know I don't care for mornings."
Judy chuckled at her partner with a light blush in her ears. Nick wetted his paw and slicked his fur down.
"There, good to go."
"You're something else."
"But you love me. Well we better go. This city won't save itself."
The pair enter the station. The large open room was a bustle of officers, a few mammals brought in for whatever reason, people looking to have their cases looked into, and at the center at the greeting counter was the chubby cheetah Benjamin Clawhauser, he was eating a donut with two more boxes next tot the one he was currently finishing. Judy and Nick walk over to say hello. Ben didn't notice them as he was jamming out to some Gazelle playing on his iPaw. Nick knocks on the counter which catches the over weight cat's attention.
"Oh hey guys! When did you get here?"
"Just now. How ya doing Ben?"
"Amazing! Nick, have you heard the new single released by Gazelle?"
"I don't really care or pop music."
Clawhauser gasps and draws back.
"Blasphemy!"
Judy chuckles at the antics. She then clears her throat and speaks up.
"So Ben, there a meeting today?"
"Oh, no. not today. But Chief wanted to see you two in his office."
"Why? Did we do something wrong?"
"No way carrots. Maybe he just has some special case he wants us to handle personally."
Clawhauser stuffs the last of his donut in his mouth and speaks up, his mouth still full.
"Well, whatever reason, better get in there."
Nick and Judy arrive outside Bogo's office. The door was much taller than them, it is a bison who has to get through there after all. Nick knocks on the office door and from behind comes a rough voice.
"Come in!"
The two mammals walk in. The bulked out bison is hunched over doing some paper work. He looks up when he hears the door click shut.
"Ah. Officer Hopps, Wilde."
"You wanted to see us sir?"
"Yeah, what's up chief?"
"come you two, sit."
Nick and Judy approach the desk. Nicks head just reaches the top of it. The two pull themselves into the large chairs in front of Bogo.
"You two have been real busy since you started here. And you have done a great job."
"Aw shucks boss. Gonna make me blush."
"Can it Wilde. But it is because you two have worked so hard and done so well for quite some time, that I have decided to give you two a paid weeks vacation."
"What?! Chief, are you sure? Will the ZPD have enough officers on hand without me and Nick here?"
"Hopps, I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't know we would be alright."
Nick sips at his coffee and Judy relaxes back into her seat.
"Gee Chief, didn't take ya for the charitable type."
"Don't push it Wilde! I can make sure you stay here while Hopps has off."
Nicks ears drop and he shuts up. Judy giggles at the fox. Nick scowls over at the bunny. She just smiles and shrugs.
"Well, you tow can go home."
"Thank you Chief."
"Yeah, thanks boss."
Back out front of the station, Nick and Judy discuss what each other may do on their week off.
"Man, I got up this morning for nothing then."
"You really are a bum Nick."
"Yeah, but that's what happens when a usually nocturnal mammal has to get up early."
"True. Well i have no idea what to do with my week. I don't normally have this much free time."
Nick sips more coffee, then he suggests;
"Well, why don't we go out for some food?"
"Hmmm. Yeah, that sounds nice. We never see each other outside of work."
"Then I'll head back to my place and change. See you at Little Rodentia at eleven then?"
"See ya there partner."
Judy exclaims cheerfully before starting her way home. When Judy can no longer see him, Nicks ears droop and a sad expression dawns his muzzle. Ever since that day on the cable car he had felt something for the sweet energetic little bunny. After more time passed, after days spent together on the beat, he knew what he felt. He had fallen for Judy. But what would she think?
I'm a predator, she's a prey. How could she feel the same? Nick didn't care what others thought of him. He learned how to ignore that years ago. But would what others think affect Judy's reaction? Is it possible for her to feel the same way? So many questions, and the only way to find an answer was to ask her.
The streets were busy in Little Rodentia. Mice, rats, shrews, and other smaller mammals out and about shopping, driving, walking. The buildings were as tall as Nick, who stood out side a restaurant which was built bigger than the rest of the buildings to allow larger mammals to dine there. Nick was dressed in a pair of grey pants, a white tee, and a charcoal gray slim fit hoodie. It is eleven o' 5. Where is she? I hope she didn't get weirded out when I asked her to lunch.
"Nick!"
The vulpine turned and saw Judy just down the street. She was dressed in a pink and purple polkadot dress that fell to her ankles. It drifted behind her as she walked toward Nick. He had never seen her in anything other than Jeans and a shirt, or her uniform. She looked amazing. The dress made her eyes pop even more than usual. The stunning violet that they are. Nick stood in a daze.
"Nick? You okay?"
"H-huh? Oh yeah. Never took you for the type to wear a dress."
"Oh this? Yeah, it's been a while but I figured it would be nice for today."
"Well you look good."
"Not thinking of having me for the main course are ya?"
Judy laughed at her joke. Nick chuckled lightly. She didn't seem to notice the true affect she had on him.
"Well, I suppose we should head in."
Nick holds the door open for Judy to walk before him.
"Oh, what a gentlemammal."
Now seated at their table the waiter, a mouse who had to climb a wheeled ladder to reach their height, takes their orders. After the waiter leaves, the pair sit silently for a moment. Judy smiled at Nick, Nick smiled nervously. He was so hot from nerves he nearly began to pant. Judy is the one to break the silence.
"This place is really nice. I'm not sure I can afford this all."
"Oh, you won;t be paying. I've got it."
"You're full of sweet today. You sick?"
Judy jokingly remarks. Nicks emotions get the better of him and his ears droop. Judy notices her partners reaction.
"I'm sorry Nick. I didn't mean to upset you."
"What? You didn't."
"You're lying, your ears are droopy."
Nick jolts and looks to his floppy ears. He straightens them.
"So what's wrong Nick?"
"N-nothing, really."
"I know you say, 'Don't let them see that they get to you' but it's clear something big is on your mind. You can tell me."
Nick opens his maw but nothing comes out. For a moment Judy waits for him to speak. But not long after her coaxing, the waiter returns with their food. Nick lets out a sight of relief and they begin to eat.
"This is really good. Thanks for bringing me here."
"Only the best for the worlds best partner."
Blush came to Judy's ears and she smiled. Nick smiled and relaxed a little. Judy's smile always made Nick feel better, he thought her beautiful was every kind of cute.
"Judy."
"Yeah Nick?"
"I have something I need to talk to you about."
"What's that?"
"Not here though. Will you come back to my apartment with me to talk in private?"
"Sure."
Nick and Judy finish their food then leave Little Rodentia. After a short walk they arrived to an apartment in the nocturnal district. The building was painted with dark tones and had vines growing up along either side. Judy followed Nick inside, His apartment is on the second floor. Inside his apartment was a modest abode. There seemed to be no bedroom, the couch had a sheet, blanket, and pillow thrown on it. Further in is a small kitchen and to the left is a bathroom.
"Sorry for the mess. Honestly inviting you over was kinda spur of the moment."
"Oh I don't mind. This is nothing compared to back home."
Nick grins and sits on the couch. He leans forward and places his hands together with his fingers entangled. Judy stands in front of the fox with a look of slight concern. She is worried for her friend.
"Judy, we have been friends for quite some time. You changed my life for the better and I cannot thank you enough."
Judy stands silent. Her eyes begin to water and tears start becoming visible, resting on her waterline.
"Emotional bunny."
Nick pulls Judy into a tight hug. Judy wraps her arms around the comforting vulpine.
"Nick, you changed my life too. Without you, I may still be a racist, profiling dumb bunny."
"Oh Judy, but that's what brought you to me. And be it wrong or not, I'm thankful."
"You're too sweet Nick."
Judy regains herself, standing on her feet steadily in front of Nick again.
"But you did something no one else could Judy."
"What's that?"
"You made me unable to hide the fact you got to me."
Judy smiled as she sniffled.
"But Judy, I need to tell you something."
"Yes?"
"Shortly after solving the case of the nighthowlers, I felt something different. It was strong, and grew as time went on. Spending time with you as I have has made me sure of this."
"What are you trying to say Nick?"
Nick fell silent. He stared at the floor between his paws. he took in a deep breath and held it a moment. He spoke with the exhale.
"I'm in love with you Judy."
Judy's eyes shot open. Shock struck her frozen and silent. Nick's ears drooped and his head lowered.
"I don't know what you might think of me now, or how you must feel, but I had to tell you."
"What would other animals think? A predator and prey together."
"I don't know and I don't care. I am ready to face anything to have you."
Judy said nothing. She looked ate Nick, un-moving, without a word. Nicks confidence began to waver and as it did he slumped over more, burying his muzzle in his paws. He jolts slightly as he feels Judy's hand lift his chin. Water forms in Nicks eyes when he sees tears falling over the fur on Judy's cheeks.
"What's wrong Judy?"
"Nick... I feel the same way. I love you."
"What? But, how? When?"
"It started on the cable car. After hearing about what you went through, I knew you were different. It got so strong, I didn't know what to do."
Judy falls into Nick's lap bawling. Nick rubs her back and the top of her head.
"Oh carrots, such an emotional bunny."
"I'm so sorry Nick."
"But what about others? What about your family? What will they think of this?"
"I don't care, I'm willing to chance things."
Judy lunges forward pushing Nick back on the couch. Maw to maw, Judy kisses Nick passionately. Nick returns the kiss. Years of affection and emotions, bursting forward in this single moment. A temporary resolve, before the trials to come.