I am well aware I am not reinventing the wheel with this set-up, people, but there are just some stories I have to write. Out of 100 ideas I come up with yearly, only about 1-2 ever pan out properly to get it pass planning stages and this is one! So let's get cracking!

All rights belong to Disney, fingers crossed for either a sequel or a spin off series!

Chapter 1: Routine

'Routine'

By the definition of the Mammian Walrbster Dictionary it meant a regular way of doing things in a particular order day for day or, if pertaining to actors, a series of things that are repeated as part of a performance. That's what most mammals think of when they used the word.

There was a third definition however and one that ZPD officer Nick Wilde thought reflected perfectly on the current situation and for a fact, most of last week as well; a boring state or situation in which things are always done in the same order.

It wasn't that Nick was allergic to routine, oh no, he even found it beneficial from time to time. After all, routine, punctuality and a ready performance for nearly every situation was how the fox managed to pull off most of the scams he engineered for the last twenty years.

That being said, there were times when routine was downright torture… Such as the last week of his life.

"Okay, Flash," Officer Judy Hopps leaned across the table toward their suspect. "Feel like telling us about your little racing circuit today?"

Despite the front, Nick could tell that even his always optimistic partner was getting sick of repeating the question day in and day out for… what was it now? Five days? After all, those drooping bunny ears couldn't lie even if she was valiantly trying to keep them from going slack.

Flash The Sloth on the other hand, hardly seemed bothered by the fact that he was being interrogated about illegal activities, as the same goofy smiled stayed plastered on his snout.

"I… Don't… have to… say…"

"…Anything?" Judy asked hopefully, trying to get the sloth to finish faster. Nick actually had to fight a smile at how hopeful she looked, even though she probably knew what was coming.

"…A… Thing." Flash finished smiling.

As Judy's head met the hard surface of the desk on the exact same spot as ever, ears flat against the wooden surface, Nick was musing on the possibility of Flash deliberately exchanging the words in the last second. Not even Carrots was that bad at guessing.

The simple fact was however that Flash knew his rights well enough on account of being a civil servant and as such had immediately asked for a lawyer. That took up day one. And they were still waiting on the lawyer, since he was another sloth from out of town. Optimistically, they spent the second day playing tic-tac-toe while the lawyer arrived. The end result was one win a piece for all three of them and no draws. Judy started to get annoyed on the third day, her foot nearly going through a chair leg before their shift was over. Day four was when Chief Bogo had finally decided to be merciful and gave them permission to access the "Prevention of Sloth Hindrance" law, allowing them to interrogate Flash without the presence of a lawyer. According to him, the first three days was to show them why you never ever, under any circumstances, brought sloths in as witnesses even if you're desperate.

As day five was rolling pass two in the afternoon, Nick was desperately hoping that a call about something would come in that required their immediate attention. If not, the tranquilizer gun hanging off his belt was looking all too tempting right now. Just one twitch and he could be off in blissful oblivion for a few hours…

"Flash!" Judy shot up with speed that Nick could only marvel at and a voice that sounded more like Chief Bogo than someone shorter than even Nick. "If you don't give me a name, I swear I'll go home, take my old Fox Taser and fry your fur!"

Despite the mention of a Fox Taser, nick found himself quietly chuckling at his partner's anger. It took a lot to get Carrots to this state, but he'd be damned if it wasn't worth it sometimes. Even if it was a bluff anybody could call. Case and point…

"You… Won't… Do it." Flash stated matter of fact and Nick was almost sure he sounded bored. More so than usual at any rate.

Slumping back in her chair and almost out of view, Judy sighed.

"I'm going to go and get some coffee," she declared and hopped off stalking, or whatever the bunny equivalent was, off toward the break room.

Quickly weighing the prospect of standing here against stretching his legs a bit, Nick quickly jumped to follow her.

"I'm going come with you,"

"One of us has to stay with the suspect Nick," Judy reprimanded, but as the fox noted, made no real attempt to stop him from following her. Judging by the sorry state of her ears, she probably didn't have it in her to argue with someone else right now.

"It's Flash we're talking about here Carrots," Nick smirked, but never the less casted a glance back toward the sloth who appeared to not have moved. "We'll be back before he manages to get ten feet away from the desk."

"Tell me about it!" Judy sighed, throwing her head back in exasperation. "This is worse than when I was a meter maid. At least that toy car moved!"

"Eh, know what you mean," Nick shrugged as he pushed the door within a door, they had put in for the two of them, entering the break room.

Five minutes later the two of them were sitting with a cup of coffee between their paws, occasionally glancing at Flash who appeared to be getting off his chair.

"Twenty?" Nick asked, slowly taking a sip.

"Eh, we'll check up on him in ten," Judy shrugged and brought her own cup toward her nose inhaling deeply. "Are you sure you can't get in touch with Finnick? At least he would try and stone wall us on purpose!"

"Yeah, tried that once my shift was over yesterday," Nick shook his head, one of his claws carefully tapping on the table. "Little guy said that while he has heard about someone organizing the events, he can't get a beat on who."

"It's eating at him, isn't it?" Judy asked, the first sign of a smile gracing her face, since they started on Flash.

"That much cash and he isn't on it? Please, he's out of his skin angry!" nick confirmed, reminiscing about the small fox's temper tantrum yesterday. "That being said the only one above Finnick would be Mister Big, but that's more your department."

"Fru Fru's still out of town and it's not like I can show up at Mister Big's doorstep for something like this." Judy shook her head. "Besides, we're not even sure this is Tundra Town business."

"If we can't get Flash to talk today I'll see if I can snoop about after hours," Nick offered with a long drawl to the offer. "Sure as hell is more likely to work than going for Day 6!"

"Yeah," Judy sighed and glanced at Flash. "Oh, he's a foot away from the desk. We should go."

"Ah,... Let's!" Nick sighed and picked up his cup as he stood up. As he did however, he missed the spark of curiosity going through Judy's eyes.

"Nick, how does Flash even race?" the bunny asked slowly. The question did have the desired effect however as Nick stopped almost dead in his tracks, his ears standing to attention.

"I…'m not sure," the fox admitted turning toward his partner. "When I first saw Flash race, I thought he was maybe a small cheetah with how small the car was. Had some bet even on a bunny, given the quick reflexes. Then he exited the car and most of the spectators fell over."

"You never thought to ask him?"

"Not really something that comes up in casual conversation." Wilde scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Though one of my fellow betters, think some doctor or some such had a theory that it has something to do with excitement in three toed sloths or something."

"And you never thought to say anything before now?!" Judy almost shrieked and Nick noticed her foot going about 180 a minute from irritation.

"Hey, hey cool off a bit Carrots," Nick raised his paws in a pacifying gesture. "Never thought about it until just now. Besides how are we supposed to get that," he pointed at Flash who was now an alarming two feet away from the desk. "Excited?"

"Now that you mention it,.." Judy began a genuine grin spreading on her face as her violet eyes drifted toward the precinct fridge.

"Oh no,…" Nick shuddered realization dawning on him.

OoOoOoOoO

"Here you go Flash!" Judy cheerfully shoved a large Styrofoam cup into Flash's outstretched claws.

Flash had managed four feet from the desk by the time Judy had assembled the content of the cup. As usual the sloth didn't appear too bothered by his interrupted escape attempt being foiled by Nick and Judy.

"Why… Thank… You." Flash smiled slowly at them and started to move the cup toward his mouth.

What felt like eternity later, the rim of the cup reached his mouth and Nick caught a sight of Judy's eyes widening in excitement much like one would do if they were witnessing a miracle in front of their eyes. The red fox had to suppress his own grin and the sudden urge to distract Flash, but he did the latter much easier than he would a year before.

He must really be growing up.

During Nick's musings, Flash had managed an entire gulp from the cup.

And then it happened.

The concoction that Judy had given Flash to drink was an amalgamation of each and every energy drink that was present within the ZPD break room fridge, blended alongside several soup spoons of coffee. By Judy's estimation the resulting blend should be able to wake the dead. With Flash…

"Wow, this is good!" the sloth began talking with the speed of an average cheetah, along with each and every mannerism he had, quickly became a twitch. "So Nick, look man, I can't tell you about the races. The guy who runs them? He doesn't play nice like you."

Both the fox and the bunny for their part were looking at the quick talking, average speed moving sloth like something that came out of a science fiction movie. Nick, as the sloth had addressed him by name was the first to recover from the stupor.

"What do you mean Flash?" Nick tilted his head.

It was surprising that Flash would be mixed up in something like this. Oh, sure street racing had been Flash's thing for about as long as Nick knew him, but even when he did the underground circuit Flash always stayed with the cleaner crews.

"Really going to make me explain huh?" Flash tilted his head in annoyance. As no answer came from Nick, the DMV employ continued. "About a month or so ago a new crew started muscling on the streets. And not in the 'we're better and more fun to watch way' either. Now the only races are theirs."

"Then why not quit?" Judy, who Nick noted was finally back to normal, taking quick notes with her carrot pen asked.

"Stress relief mostly," Flash shrugged. "Even if we don't show it, work at the DMV can be a pain…"

"Flash, please," Judy pleaded and much to Nick's amusement was putting those big ol' bunny eyes to work, presumably to soften Flash up. "There were three mammals hurt during the race a week ago."

"Heard rumors, didn't know it was true," Flash frowned looking to the side. "Wasn't there myself, was doing some tuning for this week. Car flew out of the track and hit a couple of pedestrians."

The sloth started casually scratching his cheek and at least to Nick appeared to be in conflict with himself about something.

"Look, Nick, best I can do is tell you where then next race will be and only because you're a friend."

"Tha…"

"However, I should warn you," Flash spoke up, interrupting the fox. "There are a lot of mammals know you're with the ZPD. Not sure what kind of reception you'll get."

Nick's eyes narrowed at the sloth's words, if only because he knew how true they were. Even Finnick had been regarding him with apprehension the last few times they spoke to one another. It was as if Finnick was waiting to be arrested at any moment or something, their history be damned.

"I'll keep that into consideration," Nick nodded, ignoring the look Judy was giving him. "Now, the address?"

"Oh yeah," the sloth nodded enthusiastically, something Nick would have to mark as a first for a sloth. "It's, 224 Zebra Lain… Right before… The… Suspension… briiiiiii…" And with that Flash face planted on the floor in a lifeless heap… And promptly began to snore.

"Hm," Judy tilted her head thoughtfully. "Guess that explains why sloths don't drink caffeine."

"Let's just get him to the couch before someone steps on him," Nick sighed and grabbed one of the sloth's paws.

"Then we have to go tell the chief," Judy supplied as she quickly maneuvered herself beneath the other appendage for better leverage.

Oh yeah, Nick thought bitterly. Chief is going to be thrilled with this!

OoOoOoOoO

"So let me see if I understand you two," Chief Bogo began as he was filling out some documents that lay spread on his desk. "You manage to get the location of an underground street racing crew by drugging a DMV employ and rendering him near CATATONIC!?"

Judy had to suppress a wince at Bogo's tone, especially since the last word nearly blew out her ear drums from the volume. Nick, who was sitting next to her, appeared to be a little more composed, but Judy simply attributed it to not having been deafened.

Yet.

"Do you two have ANY idea what would happen if he decides to press charges?!" Bogo continued to fume at the duo and in Judy's eyes appeared to grow angrier and more intimidating with each word. Bogo had gotten up from his chair, during his tirade, but for the life of her Judy couldn't tell exactly when "His lawyer would have your pelts and my horns decorating his walls when he gets done!"

Seemingly out of breath now, the chief calmly sat down back behind his desk, his eyes never leaving the pair.

"Now," the cape buffalo began, this time his voice calm and collected, no doubt the work of years of experience. "What do you have to say for yourselves?"

Judy took this as their cue that if they presented enough and compelling evidence, Bogo wouldn't bust them down to traffic duty… Again. As Judy was pulling out her notebook however, her heart sank as she heard Nick begin to speak in a voice she has long since dubbed the 'Let's try and get Bogo riled up' voice.

"Come on Chief!" Nick started, his voice all of a sudden cheery and with a barely noticeable drawl to it. "Flash's a friend, He'd never do that! Besides, his lawyer is also a sloth! We'd retire before he's done charging us!"

Bogo loudly exhaled, which was obviously not what Nick was looking for.

"Besides," Nick smirked. "Your horns probably wouldn't fit, Chief."

"SNAP!"

Judy barely had the time to get her ears parted, before the eraser on Chief Bogo's pencil snapped under the large buffalo's hoof and was catapulted over her head.

"Wilde," Bogo started, each word appearing to cause him physical pain. "Unless you want to entertain polar bears in Tundra Town as a frozen sculpture of an officer, I suggest you shut your mouth!"

"Hopps!" Bogo turned toward Judy. "What do you two have?"

"Well Chief," Judy started rattling off her notes. "We have a location and a time. We should be able to set up a sting operation and catch the crew red-pawed."

"Won't work," Nick shook his head, moving attention back to him.

"What do you mean Wilde?" Bogo asked lifting an eyebrow.

"What I mean Chief, is that they know how we operate," Nick began explaining. "I can guarantee you they know Flash has been nicked and they will have someone monitoring our radios. Best we can do is send someone to the race and pinch them during the race itself."

Much to Judy's surprise, Bogo seemed to be considering it and she again had to admit she was sort of impressed as to how many different illegal activities Nick knew how to pull off.

"Fine, I'll send Tucker in," Bogo nodded. "He has some experience with street chases."

"And a car that isn't a police cruiser?" Nick asked slyly and Judy quickly caught on to what he was trying to insinuate. Worst of all, Bogo, was actually puzzled by the question as if he hadn't thought of it. Judy could actually feel her ears go slack in the blink of an eye as an uncomfortable lump started building in her throat.

"No, he doesn't." Bogo grumbled. "What are you playing at Wilde?"

"We still have Flash's car," Nick smiled lazily. "And I have driven it before."

"Nick, no!" Judy turned toward her friend. "You heard what Flash said! You're going to get yourself killed!"

"Relax Carrots," Nick smiled down on her, literally, as even on a chair, he was still a head taller. "I've got this!"

"No you don't!" Judy shouted back, quickly rising to her feet so she could actually be at eye-level with the stupid fox. "And there's no way I'm letting you go there alone!"

The two stood glaring at each other, violet against green, neither backing even an inch, lest the other wins.

The moment was broken when Bogo spoke again.

"And neither an I," the chief declared and pulled another form from his desk. "Hopps, you'll be accompanying Wilde to the race. The moment the race starts, OR if Wilde gets in trouble, you signal me. I'll be three blocks out with a SWAT unit and prepared to lay road blocks to catch any stragglers."

"But Chief,…" Nick spoke up, but was quickly silenced by the chief's patented glare.

"This is the form for Lothman's car to be released from impound," Bogo handed the piece of paper to Nick. "We'll meet at 1800 here to discuss the finer points and kit you two out for surveillance. Until then, you. Are. Dismissed!"

OoOoOoOoO

"Why are you trying to get yourself killed?!" Judy tore into Nick the moment the two were out of the Precinct. Bogo had given them the rest of the day off to get Flash's car and change into more appropriate clothing for their little undercover op.

If he had to be honest with himself, Nick had expected his partner to begin the moment they were out of Bogo's office and was silently dreading each and every step and was waiting for the bunny to unleash the entire barrage of anger she was holding back, only if not to appear unprofessional.

"I am not trying to get myself killed, Whiskers," Nick smiled reassuringly at her.

"Look, I know what I saw Nick," the bunny shook her head. "And I don't care what you say, Flash's warning got to you."

Of course it did, was what Nick thought. Most of his friends had been on the shadier, if not dark side of the law. And he lost almost all of them when he put on the badge. Even a year later, he still couldn't quite reconcile with that. He knew that it would have happened, he wasn't stupid. He thought it over even as he was filling out the form, during the Night Howlers incident.

And he had decided that it was worth it then and there.

It was just hard to appear indifferent when mammals kept bring it up and it wasn't even a surprise that Judy had picked up on his distress. That bunny was getting scary good at reading him. And she was scared for him.

"Flash said,…"

"Flash said that he doesn't know what kind of reception I'd get," Nick corrected her, trying to elevate some of her fears. "For all we know, nobody will even comment on it."

"Like you actually believe that!" Judy countered immediately, crossing her arms, not at all convinced.

Time for plan B.

"Oh come on!" Nick sighed in exasperation. "We both know I like myself too much to let myself die and beside, Bogo will be a few seconds out along with the heaviest hitters of the ZPD." As he was about to finish a thought passed through his head and he smiled, lowering himself to eye level with Judy. "And you'll be there too Carrots. Or did you forget about that, you dumb bunny?"

Judy simply stared impassively at the fox's smirking face… And then promptly flicked his nose.

"Ow," Nick quickly straightened out and started rubbing his sensitive nose. "You agreed no nose!"

"And you agreed no 'dumb bunny' remarks." Judy countered looking smug. "Now come on! We should take the time to get ready."

"Do you even own anything that doesn't scream 'fresh off the train'?"

In retrospect, Nick really should have seen the shoulder punch coming.

Hello, fellow human beings who watched Zootopia and fell in love with the world! I am one of you and as such, this is my newest little project. And by little I mean I have absolutely no idea how freakishly insanely large it will end up as per usual. After all, my first ever writing attempt ended at around... 100k words, half-way finished, before I realized what has happened. That being said, hope you enjoyed the first chapter. It was originally supposed to be much longer, but I thought this would be a neat place to end it and I will try not to stay bound by any length rules, which is a trap I usually fall into. That being said I think a chapter every week or two is a feasible thing, but don't hold me to that. That being said I am welcoming any criticism this time around, especially regarding the characters themselves, since unlike most of my other projects the characters are not OC's (I will be adding a few, but Nick and Judy will always take centre stage) of mine nor have I had plenty of time and several seasons worth of material to analyse. As such I find it hard getting into their heads, especially Judy's. That much optimism and perkiness just hurts my jaded brain!

Oh and yes, Flash's full name for the purposes of this fic if Flash S. Lothman. I am not as creative as I like to imagine myself.

Ta-ta for now!